David Voigts.

What is over four miles long, is full of dirt and has a potential power output of 50 megawatts? This is not a trick question but a unique idea to reduce our carbon emissions that even those who don’t care about global warming can appreciate. It is an energy-storage-by-rail project that is being tried in Nevada. If it becomes fully operational, it will go a long way toward balancing the power grid during times when solar and wind energy production is low.

The project involves a chain of special train cars that are loaded with rocks and dirt. Electrical motors will pull the weighted train cars uphill during periods of low electrical demand, storing energy as they go. Once uphill, they will sit – with no loss of energy – until the electrical power grid needs their energy. Then the cars will be sent rolling downhill, and their momentum will generate electricity along the way. Each car will employ a 2-megawatt generator as it rolls along the 6- to 9-degree slope.

The project is similar to a pumped-storage hydroelectric system, but the cost and the environmental footprint are expected to be much less. An added benefit is that the rail cars and their underlying tracks will not need to be located near water – only a grade is needed. Innovative ideas like this will go a long way toward solving our climate crisis.

David Voigts is a retired ecologist and the current Conservation Chair for the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society. He is a Tama County native, graduating from Dinsdale High School, and lives in rural Jesup on his wife’s family farm.