A Colorado developer is studying the use of a wind farm to power the pump-back feature of the proposed 390-MW Phantom Canyon pumped-storage project in Fremont County, Colo.
H2O Providers LLC, doing business as H2OHy.Pro LLC, received a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study a 440-MW version of Phantom Canyon (or Phantom Canon) (No. 12714).
Although the permit does not mention wind in the project description, H2O said it now envisions building a wind farm at a location still to be determined that would generate electricity to pump water to the project’s upper reservoir at night, when electricity rates are low.
Reconnaissance-level studies by Washington Group International indicated the project is technically feasible and likely to be economically feasible. Washington Group also performed feasibility studies that identified no geological conditions that would preclude development.
H20 said the project would feature upper and lower reservoirs impounded by earthen dams, a penstock, a powerhouse, and a pump station on the Arkansas River with two 180- to 220-MW pump-turbines. In a progress report, it said the feasibility study determined the powerhouse rating should be 390 MW.
