Samueli School of Engineering

UCI Dean's Choice Award 2017, University of California Irvine

Background:  Watt Water Solutions, Inc. is collaborating with lack and Veatch to design an “upper” reservoirs located above the existing San Vicente Reservoir in San Diego, California.  This includes designing water conduits, tunnel systems for electricity, and a powerhouse in between the two reservoirs.  The powerhouse will contain reversible pump-turbines capable of lifting water to the upper reservoir from the lower reservoir and generate power as the water flows downstream.

Objective: Provide a feasibility design for a pumped-storage facility that will supplement peak energy demands for 8 hours with 500 MW of power.

WATT Water Solutions, Inc. E4 

Faculty Adviser:  Richard Trembath, P.E. (Black and Veatch)