Similar to “storing” power by pumping water back up into the reservoir at night when power prices are cheapest, a company in Nevada is working toward using solar and wind, when available, to move train cars/generators up an incline to be rolled down hill as needed… Here is the story: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2452603/could-uphill-train-tracks-solve-the-problem-of-energy-storage
“The project is intended to support Nevada’s expanding renewable energy sector. The company explained how a single railroad track sited on a gentle grade will feature multiple electric locomotive cars that can move up the track as they receive excess power from solar and wind power plants during sunny and windy days.
The train cars can then be dispatched slowly downhill during periods of peak power demand, using their motor-generators to return power to the electricity grid. ARES Nevada will provide a wide range of ancillary services, enabling the grid to adjust to momentary changes in demand and help stabilize grid voltage and frequency, the company said.”
I’m looking forward to a brisk, active market in spread options on electricity someday…
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