skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Home »
Pumped Storage Hydroelectric in United States
»
Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project
Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project
7:03 AM
Posted by Energetic
The Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project is a pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The plant is part of the New York Power Authority, and can generate over 1,000,000 kilowatts of electricity, all of which is sent to New York City in the case of a power crisis in the city. It is to be used only for emergency situations; i.e., in case another powerplant shuts down, or in case the other powerplants can't provide enough electricity. There are two reservoirs that are involved in the project, both with a capacity of 5 billion gallons (over 71.6 million m³); one at the foot of Brown Mountain in the Schoharie Valley, and another one at the top of the mountain. The project's power station has a maximum production capacity of 1,057 MW.
The reservoir at the foot of the mountain was created by impounding the Schoharie Creek downstream from the village of Gilboa, New York. Water from this reservoir is sent through an aqueduct up the mountain to the upper reservoir to be stored until it is needed. When power is needed, the water is sent back down the mountain into the lower reservoir, where it enters a powerplant on the banks of the lower reservoir, and spins a series of turbines in the powerhouse. (This structure is almost completely underwater, and only five feet of it can be seen above water when the reservoir is full). The water is sent back into the reservoir, flows over the dam that holds the reservoir back, and continues down the rest of the Schoharie Creek.
The Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center is housed in a restored 18th century dairy barn, and features exhibits and interactive displays that demonstrate the science of energy and electricity, and how power is made and used. Admission to the center is free. The historic Lansing Manor House is a historic house museum adjacent to the Visitors Center. The Visitors Center, Lansing Manor House and the Power Project are located near Mine Kill State Park.
Blenheim-Gilboa Hydroelectric Power Station | |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Locale | Catskill Mountains |
Owner(s) | NYPA |
Reservoir information | |
Reservoir capacity | 19,000,000 m3 (5.0×109 US gal) |
Power generation information | |
Installed capacity | 1,057 MW |
This entry was posted on October 4, 2009 at 12:14 pm, and is filed under
Pumped Storage Hydroelectric in United States
. Follow any responses to this post through RSS. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.