Tesla Just Took Its First Step Toward Obliterating The Power Companies

[jeff47]

5. The problem is geology.

You need a particular alignment of geologic features to do hydro power (or grid-scale pumped storage). Essentially, you need a good sized lake and then a fairly steep descent from that lake. If you're doing pumped storage, you need another lake below to catch and hold the water. The lakes could be made by dams, but you need the steep river, as well as space for the lake around that river.

That set of geologic features doesn't appear all that often. We've already built hydro power plants on pretty much all the suitable places in the country.

Pumped storage opens a few more options, since you don't have to have a naturally-flowing river. But not nearly enough to handle everything.

Batteries have the advantage of "just working" anywhere, regardless of geology. It should be noted grid-scale battery storage also has large disadvantages that weren't covered in the article.