Map Illustration (IMAGE) Southwest Research Institute Caption Pumped storage hydropower uses dual-reservoir "storage" systems to improve the availability of energy by pumping and releasing water between the reservoirs to generate electricity to meet peak demands. To accelerate pumped storage hydropower implementation, SwRI is developing different strategies for efficiently building the reservoirs, illustrated here with an upper reservoir sited atop a mesa and a lower reservoir created by damming canyons below. Credit Credit ©2019 Google Map data Usage Restrictions Images/videos may be used by the media and the public for educational and informational purposes only License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.