Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility
Encyclopedia
Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility is a pumped-storage hydroelectric
generation
facility in Drumore Township, Pennsylvania
, USA. When completed in 1968, Muddy Run was the largest pumped-storage facility in the world. The facility is operated by the Susquehanna Electric Company, a subsidiary of Exelon Generation.
The facility's upper reservoir is the 1,000 acre (400 ha) Muddy Run Reservoir, with a full pool elevation of over 500 feet (150 m), and a usable storage capacity of 1466000000 ft3 or 33650 acre.ft. Muddy Run Reservoir was created by damming Muddy Run with a 4,800 foot (1,500 m) long, 250 foot (76 m) high, rock-filled dam
. The lower reservoir is the Conowingo Reservoir, created in the Susquehanna River
by the Conowingo Dam
, with a normal pool elevation of 109 feet (33 m). The power house uses excess grid capacity during off peak hours to pump water from the Conowingo Reservoir into the upper reservoir through four 25 foot (7.6 m) diamter, 343 vertical foot (105 m) shafts. During peak power demand periods, the water is allowed to flow back from the lake through the shafts to the eight turbines causing the pumps to act as generators. Muddy Run has a capacity of 1,071 megawatts.
The Muddy Run electrical machinery was designed by the noted engineer Eugene C. Whitney
of Westinghouse Electric Company
, who designed the machinery for the Grand Coulee Dam
#3 powerhouse. Whitney "was present when the machines were first to be started. The operator was reluctant to take the first step. Gene said, 'Call your boss.' The boss said, 'If Gene says to start the machines, start them.' So they did, and water rose from the lower Susquehanna River to the upper reservoir, 400 feet above".
The upper reservoir extends into Martic Township
. The area around the upper reservoir is operated as a park, complementing the nearby Susquehannock State Park
. Susquehannock State Park has an overlook trail with a good view of the Muddy Run facility.
http://www.exeloncorp.com/PowerPlants/muddyrun/Pages/profile.aspx
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity is a type of hydroelectric power generation used by some power plants for load balancing. The method stores energy in the form of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation. Low-cost off-peak electric power is used to run the pumps...
generation
Generation
Generation , also known as procreation in biological sciences, is the act of producing offspring....
facility in Drumore Township, Pennsylvania
Drumore Township, Pennsylvania
Drumore Township is a township in southwestern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,243.It is named after Dromore , County Down, Northern Ireland.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, USA. When completed in 1968, Muddy Run was the largest pumped-storage facility in the world. The facility is operated by the Susquehanna Electric Company, a subsidiary of Exelon Generation.
The facility's upper reservoir is the 1,000 acre (400 ha) Muddy Run Reservoir, with a full pool elevation of over 500 feet (150 m), and a usable storage capacity of 1466000000 ft3 or 33650 acre.ft. Muddy Run Reservoir was created by damming Muddy Run with a 4,800 foot (1,500 m) long, 250 foot (76 m) high, rock-filled dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
. The lower reservoir is the Conowingo Reservoir, created in the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
by the Conowingo Dam
Conowingo Dam
The Conowingo Dam is a large hydroelectric dam in the Lower Susquehanna River. The dam, one of the largest non-federal hydroelectric dams in the US, is classified as a medium height, masonry gravity type dam...
, with a normal pool elevation of 109 feet (33 m). The power house uses excess grid capacity during off peak hours to pump water from the Conowingo Reservoir into the upper reservoir through four 25 foot (7.6 m) diamter, 343 vertical foot (105 m) shafts. During peak power demand periods, the water is allowed to flow back from the lake through the shafts to the eight turbines causing the pumps to act as generators. Muddy Run has a capacity of 1,071 megawatts.
The Muddy Run electrical machinery was designed by the noted engineer Eugene C. Whitney
Eugene C. Whitney
Eugene C. Whitney was a celebrated power engineer who designed hydroelectric turbines and generators at Westinghouse Electric Company...
of Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC is a nuclear power company, offering a wide range of nuclear products and services to utilities throughout the world, including nuclear fuel, service and maintenance, instrumentation and control and advanced nuclear plant designs...
, who designed the machinery for the Grand Coulee Dam
Grand Coulee Dam
Grand Coulee Dam is a gravity dam on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington built to produce hydroelectric power and provide irrigation. It was constructed between 1933 and 1942, originally with two power plants. A third power station was completed in 1974 to increase its energy...
#3 powerhouse. Whitney "was present when the machines were first to be started. The operator was reluctant to take the first step. Gene said, 'Call your boss.' The boss said, 'If Gene says to start the machines, start them.' So they did, and water rose from the lower Susquehanna River to the upper reservoir, 400 feet above".
The upper reservoir extends into Martic Township
Martic Township, Pennsylvania
Martic Township is a township in southwestern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 4,990. Martic Township was organized as a Township in 1729. It borders Conestoga, Providence, Pequea and Drumore Townships....
. The area around the upper reservoir is operated as a park, complementing the nearby Susquehannock State Park
Susquehannock State Park
Susquehannock State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Drumore Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is on a scenic plateau overlooking the Susquehanna River and Conowingo Reservoir. The park is named for the Susquehannock people, who lived in the area...
. Susquehannock State Park has an overlook trail with a good view of the Muddy Run facility.
External links
http://www.exeloncorp.com/PowerPlants/muddyrun/Pages/profile.aspx