Pumped Up: Renewables Growth Revives Old Energy-Storage Method

Moving water uphill lets producers of solar and wind power bank energy for use when it is needed most

Forget about Tesla Motors Inc. ‘s batteries: The hottest way to store energy in the electricity business today is a century-old technology that involves moving water to stash power.

Known as pumped storage, the giant facilities push large volumes of water uphill when there is surplus electricity, and then let gravity move it back down through turbines to generate hydroelectric power when extra kilowatts are needed.

By Rebecca Smith

Full Story: http://www.wsj.com/articles/pumped-up-renewables-growth-revives-old-energy-storage-method-1469179801