High Elevation Reservoir Water Distribution System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water storage systems, particularly in the United States, are inefficient in distributing water supplies across multiple locations and fail to meet regional water and energy demands due to their low or medium elevation, leading to evaporative losses and increased risk of catastrophic dam failures during floods.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a high elevation reservoir connected via conduits and pumping means to multiple lower elevation reservoirs, allowing for selective distribution of water to optimize water and energy resource management, reduce evaporative losses, and mitigate flood risks by redirecting water to higher elevation storage during peak demand periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If water is stored in low or medium elevation reservoirs, then the storage capacity is sufficient, but evaporative losses increase and flood risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal water storage (low/medium elevation reservoirs) to vertical water storage (high elevation reservoirs). By storing water at high elevations, the system exploits the vertical dimension to reduce evaporative surface area exposure and minimize flood risk while maintaining adequate storage capacity for regional water and energy demands.
2Productivity
If traditional low-altitude storage systems are used, then the infrastructure is simpler, but the distribution efficiency to multiple locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water storage system into multiple segmented reservoirs at different elevations, each serving specific regional needs. This segmentation allows efficient water distribution to multiple locations while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design and hierarchical control.
Solution Approach 2:
The high elevation reservoirs act as intermediary storage points that receive water from upstream sources and distribute it to multiple downstream locations. This intermediary role enables efficient multi-location water distribution by centralizing storage at the highest point and using gravity-assisted flow to multiple destinations.
3Reliability
If water is stored at high elevation, then evaporative losses are minimized and flood risk is reduced, but the infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high elevation reservoirs are designed to serve multiple functions: flood control, water storage, hydroelectric power generation, and regional water distribution. This multi-functionality justifies the increased infrastructure complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated system, particularly during peak demand periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances the efficiency of water and energy production by minimizing evaporative losses, reducing flood risks, and providing a reliable source of renewable energy and water, addressing the shortcomings of traditional low-altitude storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
pumping means for selectively distributing water between the lower elevation reservoirs and the at least one high-elevation reservoir
Implementation Method 2
regulated flows via gravity conduits
Data Source
AI summary
A high altitude pumped-storage system for selectively integrating, storing, and distributing water and energy to increase the regional productivity of existing and future water and energy resources throughout multiple river basins is disclosed. This system addresses in part the increased requirement of supplying energy demands from a renewable energy source, such as wind, solar, or water generated power. The system includes at least one primary reservoir connected to multiple secondary reservoirs by conduits. The system allows for selectively distributing water and energy between secondary reservoirs and at least one primary reservoir. The system may comprise one or more hydroelectric power generation facilities. A method for increasing the regional efficiency of existing and future systems for producing, storing, and delivering energy from sources such as hydroelectric, wind and solar power from the water collected by the system described herein is also disclosed.