Leon Hicks and the rest of the team have no doubts. Raccoon Mountain ready, reliable Raccoon Mountain Pumped-Storage Plant uses two reservoirs, one located about 1,000 feet above the other on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. During periods of low demand for electricity, such as nights and weekends, energy is stored by using the turbines to pump water from the lower to the upper reservoir. The stored water can later be released to turn the turbines in the opposite direction and generate electricity as the water flows back into the Tennessee. Pumping is usually done at night and on weekends when power demand and costs are lowest.
Generation is called for during peak demands of the day or to provide power when otherwise needed.
The plant uses about 25-percent more energy than it produces, but it reduces the cost of power to TVA's customers by helping the TVA power system operate in an efficient, reliable manner.