Leave it to Americans to figure out a way to make money on a project that actually uses more energy than it creates.
This is another example of American financial ingenuity. If these guys were really smart, they would build huge ram
pumps along the downward flow route of the water storage facility with hydro generators spaced along the way.
They could pump water back up to the top storage facility for free, using gravity while the downward flow could
turn power turbines. Multiple ram pumps along the flow route would pump a portion of the water back up to the
reservoir while generators could make electricity as it flowed back down the flues inside the mountain. Electric
pumps could be used for back up if needed.
Energy created could be pumped into the power grid around the clock. Other than cost to build and cost of
general maintenance, power could be generated continuously and profits could be made by using free gravity
and selling the electricity.
Ram pumps are an old reliable technology and they work amazingly well. They can be built to any size. It amazes me
how this old technology is still so much better than much of today's modern technology yet it is ignored. I have seen
two ram pumps used for pumping water up hill for drinking purposes and they are capable of pumping a long distance
against gravity while using gravity to provide the energy to pump the water uphill. No electricity is required.
Google 'gravity water pump' or "hydraulic ram pump" to learn more about this old yet amazing technology.