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As Texas worries about power generation, is answer underground?

Austin American Statesman -- As a power-hungry Texas looks for more electricity generation, Chamisa Energy thinks a solution is underground: compressed air stored in man-made salt caverns in the Panhandle.

The Santa Fe, N.M.-based company has a 514-acre site near Tulia, a small town 50 miles south of Amarillo, that company officials believe is the right mix of geography, geology and timing.

The technology is not new, but company officials say using it to maximize wind generation would be a first for Texas.

Generators will use wind-generated electricity, mostly at night when power demands are low and prices are cheapest, to compress air into salt caverns that will be carved 2,000 feet below the surface. As the demand for electricity rises during the day, the process is reversed. A mixture of compressed air ...

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Submitted Apr 08, 2012 By: BurntOrange

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1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,350,715 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:49:35 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse and this s an answer to
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,350,715 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 3:57:27 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse solution, or we save from their diversion
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:2,976 Points:593,835 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 10:25:44 AM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,463 Points:728,950 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 7:38:25 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Gives a ne meaning to blow hard.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,943 Points:2,112,640 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 5:37:22 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse "... only question is whether the technology is viable with today's low natural gas prices. But he said that is a risk for investors, not ratepayers... " Ok, no worries, be happy!
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:7,242 Points:1,737,705 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 10:12:47 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse I am glad it is private enterprise doing this.
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,217 Points:2,250,020 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:32:18 PM Ignore 10k Report Abuse sounds like jules verne science fiction to me..
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,885 Points:1,917,300 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:23:36 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse Hope it works.
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,289 Points:477,315 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:21:25 PM Ignore millerin Report Abuse Hmmm....
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,069 Points:1,099,105 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:20:11 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse This just another way to store energy. The TVA pumps water into their reservoirs when demand is low, then generate electricity when needed. Same idea, but using water,
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,239 Points:584,220 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:19:32 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Time will tell....
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,947 Points:1,272,000 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:17:33 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Kinda like a crude version of flywheel technology.
ljmh Champion Author Akron Posts:3,047 Points:551,060 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:17:30 PM Ignore ljmh Report Abuse New idea
Matt G Champion Author Boston Posts:4,508 Points:2,768,865 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:15:46 PM Ignore Matt G Report Abuse Ok
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,830 Points:1,608,250 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:15:25 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Some manner of storage is necessary to make wind power viable; this sounds like an interesting possibility if the efficiency is high enough.
gumbyrex Champion Author Fresno Posts:3,276 Points:754,315 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:14:37 PM Ignore gumbyrex Report Abuse What a novel idea.
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,444 Points:2,076,760 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:14:37 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse They have found oil there sometimes...
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,876 Points:768,270 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:13:07 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse Could be an answer....
sammy518 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,589 Points:539,790 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:12:27 PM Ignore sammy518 Report Abuse ok
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,517 Points:1,854,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:12:11 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse love to see more
chuckwthompson Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,735 Points:573,185 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:12:10 PM Ignore chuckwthompson Report Abuse Let me know how that works out for you!
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:11:29 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse If it works. How much do they know about the reaction of salt under their proposed conditions?
tutaw Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,575 Points:838,745 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:08:31 PM Ignore tutaw Report Abuse really
edgarCA Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,581 Points:241,770 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:08:11 PM Ignore edgarCA Report Abuse Happy Easter
vrossi46 Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,657 Points:801,895 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:07:02 PM Ignore vrossi46 Report Abuse How in the world do they manage to seal it enough
hamdriver Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,479 Points:1,374,775 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:05:47 PM Ignore hamdriver Report Abuse .
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,500 Points:1,665,585 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:05:25 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Sounds good.
hamdriver Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,479 Points:1,374,775 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:05:24 PM Ignore hamdriver Report Abuse Yes
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,537 Points:1,205,740 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:03:38 PM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse .
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,537 Points:1,205,740 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:03:26 PM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse .
jem069 Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,518 Points:683,080 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:02:59 PM Ignore jem069 Report Abuse Ok
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,066 Points:1,618,325 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:02:48 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse How wonderful. Perhaps the densified air can share the space underground with all the contaminated fracturing waste water.
lowpet All-Star Author Texas Posts:527 Points:86,915 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:01:22 PM Ignore lowpet Report Abuse I'd like to see it in action
jwkycola All-Star Author Columbia Posts:817 Points:529,400 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:57:28 PM Ignore jwkycola Report Abuse Interesting idea. Might work.
geoag02 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:843 Points:177,970 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:56:36 PM Ignore geoag02 Report Abuse Something like this is a must to make wind generated energy practical. Without it the wind is just too unpredictable.
Wierbe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,732 Points:1,114,665 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:56:24 PM Ignore Wierbe Report Abuse Interesting. How much will it cost me in grant money?
iamforiu Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,550 Points:706,765 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:50:42 PM Ignore iamforiu Report Abuse ok
USCCRN Sophomore Author Long Island Posts:145 Points:104,240 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:48:32 PM Ignore USCCRN Report Abuse Any plausible idea to receive Federal grant money paid by the taxpayers to pay the salaries of the researchers and scientists that are researching this energy method, even if later on it shows it's not a plausible solution.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,902 Points:1,570,980 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:42:33 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse interesting idea--if it works
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,800 Points:1,426,750 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:40:00 PM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse This has got to be a scam...
armey Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,296 Points:310,255 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:39:40 PM Ignore armey Report Abuse Uh sounds cool!
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,724 Points:1,904,360 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:37:27 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse Just can NOT imagine what the ROI would be on this dream
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,088 Points:635,210 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:37:02 PM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse wind generation is a great alternative to fossil fuels
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,293 Points:1,459,230 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:36:46 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse sounds like an idea but ....
mikekoonie Veteran Author Appleton Posts:468 Points:579,985 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:34:59 PM Ignore mikekoonie Report Abuse We'll see
flghtmedic All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:517 Points:383,205 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:34:24 PM Ignore flghtmedic Report Abuse Ok
Fhuang66 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,315 Points:907,995 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:33:25 PM Ignore Fhuang66 Report Abuse Never heard about this power storage.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,779 Points:1,838,475 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:28:58 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse We'll see.
Yankee829 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,186 Points:555,590 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:28:49 PM Ignore Yankee829 Report Abuse Ok
naiiawah Champion Author Boise Posts:2,370 Points:685,100 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:27:31 PM Ignore naiiawah Report Abuse Another innovative solution.