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Rocky River Pumped-storage Hydroelectric Plant
Society
Main Category
Sub Category
Era
Date Created
Address1
Rocky River Station
Address2
41 Park Lane Road
City
Hartford
State
Country
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The Connecticut Light & Power Company pioneered the use of pumped storage in the United States at this hydroelectric station. First operated in 1929, the Rocky River Plant had two reversible pumps that somewhat resemble large hydroelectric turbines. This permitted significant improvements in the system efficiency of the company's network of hydroelectric and thermal-electric power generating plants. Water is pumped uphill through a penstock and stored in Lake Candlewood. When demand reaches a peak, water is released through the same penstock, and the motors driving the pumps reverse to become generators to produce electricity. The original penstock, built in 1927, was restored in 1963.

Early example of the pumped-storage principle, at a power plant
Image Credit
Courtesy ASME
Image Caption
Rocky River Pumped-storage Hydroelectric Plant

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