Iberdrola planning large pumped-storage plant
SPAIN - Iberdrola S.A. recently announced that it will build one of the largest pumped-storage hydropower plants in Europe by 2012.
The 850-megawatt (MW) Muela II Hydroelectric Power Plant will be added to the Cortes-Muela Hydroelectric Complex to increase pumping capacity from 555 MW to 1,110 MW and for the complex to reach a total power output of 1,260 MW.
The $304 million project began construction in March 2007 on the Jucar River in Spain.
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Nonstop Records For U.S. Natural-Gas-Based Electricity
WASHINGTON - As the hot months linger, it will be natural gas that is leaned on most to supply the electricity that we need to run our air conditioners and keep us cool.
And this is surely a great and important thing: "Heat causes most weather-related deaths, National Weather Service says."
Generally, U.S. gas demand for power in summer is 35-40% higher than what it was five years ago, with so much more coming (see Figure).
The good news is regions across the country are expected to have plenty of reserves to keep up with power demand.
The only exception is ERCOT, covering 90%…
