Engineer explains how 'pumped hydro' scheme could work

Engineers are enthusiastic about a proposal to find out whether pumped hydro storage could help reduce the country's reliance on fossil-fuelled power plants.

Yesterday, the government announced a multi-billion dollar hydro electric scheme proposal for Lake Onslow in Central Otago which would pump water to a reservoir when energy demand is low, and release water when demand is high.

At the moment, coal and gas is used to fill in the gaps in our energy supply when hydro and wind cannot meet demand.

Dr Dougal McQueen presented a paper on this topic at last year's Electricity Engineers' Association conference. He speaks to Philippa Tolley.