Seneca Pumped Storage Generating Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seneca Pumped StorageGenerating Station |
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Mead Township, Warren County, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 41°50′20.58″N 79°0′13.45″W / 41.8390500°N 79.0037361°W |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 1970 |
| Owner(s) | LS Power |
| Adjacent to Kinzua Dam in the Allegheny National Forest | |
The Seneca Pumped Storage Generating Station is a special kind of hydroelectric power plant. It makes electric power by moving water between two different levels. This plant is located near Warren in Warren County, Pennsylvania.
Contents
How Pumped Storage Works
This power plant uses a clever method called "pumped storage." Think of it like a giant rechargeable battery for electricity.
Storing Energy
When there is extra electricity available, usually at night when people use less power, the plant uses this energy. It pumps water from a lower lake or reservoir up to a higher reservoir. This stores energy as "potential energy" in the water.
Making Electricity
Later, when many people need electricity (like during the day), the plant releases the water. The water flows downhill from the upper reservoir through large pipes. As it flows, it spins special machines called turbines. These turbines then power generators that create electricity.
Why It's Useful
Pumped storage plants help keep our electricity supply steady. They can quickly provide power when demand is high. They also help use up extra electricity from other power plants when demand is low.
Seneca Station and Kinzua Dam
The Seneca Station works closely with the Kinzua Dam. The dam is on the Allegheny River and was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Its main job is to control floods. It also helps make hydroelectric power.
The Allegheny Reservoir
The Kinzua Dam created the Allegheny Reservoir. This large lake stretches about 25 miles (40 km) upriver. It reaches almost to Salamanca, New York, within the Allegany Reservation.
Power Generation
The Seneca Station makes a lot of electricity each year. On average, it produces about 570,000 megawatt-hours of electricity. This is enough to power many homes and businesses.
History of the Plant
The Seneca power plant can produce 451 megawatts of power. It was built by two companies, the Pennsylvania Electric Company and the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company.
When It Started
The plant began making electricity in 1970. Over the years, through different company changes, it became owned by FirstEnergy. FirstEnergy operates several large power plants, including nuclear and coal-fired ones.
New Ownership
In 2013, FirstEnergy decided to sell 11 of its hydroelectric power stations. The Seneca Station was one of them. It was bought by LS Power, a company from New York City.
