Solar Pumped-Storage Hydroelectricity

In this club project, build a functioning scale-model of a solar pumped-storage hydropower system.

See the West Kauaʻi Energy Project as an example of how it works.

This is the general layout of the model. It is portable enough to be used for demonstrations during K-12 school visits. Version 1 is best for simplicity and reliability: switching between solar and hydropower happens manually, and the voltage outputs are unregulated. Version 2 is more complex: switching is automated, and the voltage outputs are regulated (5V DC, 12V DC, 120V AC).

Pumped Storage Hydropower

Poster presentation at Dec 2023 KCC Student Undergraduate Research Fair (SURF).

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