[SustainableTompkins] wind's "growing pains"

[Andy Goodell]

I had an idea with storing water which I would love to build someday. 
The idea starts with a wind turbine which does not need to be very large 
at all. This would pump water up (into storage somewhere). 
Alternatively, a bike or any other form of energy which results in 
rotation could pump the water up (treadmills, playground equip, or just 
a hand pump). Then, when power is needed, a microhydro type of 
rotational energy collection could be used - on demand - as long as 
there is water with potential energy. I think this has some interesting 
benefits since it could use clean materials mostly. Since the water flow 
would be constant when needed, a specific power output would be 
possible, which may eliminate the need for batteries. As much as I like 
solar and wind power, I still see some non-sustainable aspects to using 
batteries to store the power, which this system *may* be able to avoid 
while still producing consistent electricity.
-Andy