Could the ocean make pumped hydro power? In the Middle East, it could.
A brilliant proposal has been made to build a massive 2,400 MW sea water hydro project using the Mediterranean Sea, and the Dead Sea, which is below sea level. The Dead Sea Power Project would use the ocean to make hydro power, in a world first.
The ambition and scope of the project would be on a scale almost like terraforming Mars – and the environment is not much more hospitable.
How this project would work:
A tunnel below sea level from the Mediterranean Sea would funnel sea water through a 10 meter diameter (30 foot) wide concrete tunnel 72 km ( 45 miles) to a very deep indentation in the rocky landscape about half way across land towards the Dead Sea. No energy would be needed to move the Mediterranean water to the inland sea water reservoir, because the water does not need to go uphill the whole distance.
Then, when needed during peak electrical demand; water would be released down to power turbines 423 meters below sea level on the shores of the Dead Sea which is 1,387 feet below sea level - generating up to 2,400 MW as needed.
