[QUOTE=Una Persson]
I’ll comment that when hibernicus and I went to the Dinorwig Pumped Storage station (remember that trip, Hibby?), we saw a video which was very much focused on the use of their power for supplying simultaneous kettles being switched on.
[/QUOTE]
It’s a good thing about the kettles, because as far as I can tell Dinorwig actually acts as a net drain on the UK grid.
[QUOTE=Una Persson]
I’ll comment that when hibernicus and I went to the Dinorwig Pumped Storage station (remember that trip, Hibby?), we saw a video which was very much focused on the use of their power for supplying simultaneous kettles being switched on.
[/QUOTE]
Yes indeed, I do remember our visit to Dinorwig. Ironically, although my company has a similar pumped storage power station, Turlough Hill, I have never visited it.
Really Not All That Bright, the pumped storage stations do use more energy (pumping) than they generate, so in that sense you are right that they are a drain on the system. But their ability to store cheap electricity and release it at periods of high demand, displacing expensive peaking plant, is very valuable.