known pumped storage hydroelectric power station scotland turbine hall located inside scheme takes water reservoir height difference metres pumped storage power stations capable providing black start capability construction began coincide nuclear power station uses cheap peak electricity generated night pump water higher reservoir released day provide power necessary power station open visitors tourists visit year location power station road miles west branch leading outflow corner open railway station nearby history construction commenced power station opened queen elizabeth_ii october concept designed sir died opened civil engineering works scheme glasgow main project contractors consultant electrical engineers newcastle peak construction people working project thirty men died construction power station dam cost scheme million pumped storage systems turbines pumps generators previous pumped storage systems separate pumps network pipes return water upper reservoir making expensive build conventional hydroelectric systems smaller power station pumped storage schemes construction linked nuclear power station store surplus night time nuclear generated electrical energy power station originally operated transferred south owned britain electricity industry looking increase capacity early life technical difficulties size maintenance team reduced maintenance required drained remotely operated underwater vehicle commemorate 50th anniversary station opening bbc radio documentary inside rock covered history construction bbc documentary inside rock design station temporarily stores energy times low demand releases times high demand electricity prices higher reducing maximum power provided power stations cope sudden demand electricity end television programmes despite use net generator electricity uses energy pumping water spinning turbines generates water pumped upper reservoir metres periods low energy use night released day upper reservoir receives supplemented network kilometres tunnels energy station generated rest water pumped station capable generating electricity turbines capacity units upgraded standby production minutes thirty seconds compressed air start turbines spinning reservoir operate hours supply water exhausted power turbines pump cubic metres second generate cubic metres second power station required hour emergency water supply order provide black start capability enable utilities restarted access external power turbine hall francis turbines operate pumps generators housed metres long metres wide metres high adjacent hall chamber depth metres located hard granite intrusion construction power station required removal cubic metres rock access hall gained road tunnel kilometre long metres high metres wide warm humid allow tropical plants grow step voltage transmission oil filled cables carry electric current cable shaft point dam carried kilometres east staircase cable shaft steps making tallest britain passing turbines water enters surge chamber designed balance fluctuations level water entering tunnel metres diameter metres long reservoir reservoir metres contained dam metres long reservoir area square kilometres capable holding hours energy environmental restrictions meant dam clean structure operational equipment located dam wall pair tunnels metres long inclined horizontal metres diameter steel lined metres long metres diameter shafts underwent major inspection refurbishment tourist attraction power station listed conservation organisation key monuments post war scottish architecture november power station received visitor centre refurbished situated outflow receives visitors year power station houses section foot modernist mural wood plastic gold leaf english artist mural includes celtic crosses mythical men industry section depicts mythical guarded spring underneath mountain middle panel commemorates workers killed roof turbine hall collapsed final section shows station working
Cruachan Power Station