The proposed Big Chino Valley Pumped Storage Project will use energy storage technology to anchor new electricity transmission infrastructure as an all-encompassing, integrated energy solution to the region’s growing energy needs.
The proposed project involves significant investment to develop a large-scale, 2,000 MW closed loop pumped storage hydro facility, one powerhouse and two reservoirs covering 420 surface acres . The project also includes three transmission interconnections to serve Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. ITC has identified three preferred micro corridors and associated alternative segments for additional study and stakeholder review:
- Eldorado Corridor: A 500 kV, approximately 145-mile line that connects to the existing Eldorado Substation
- Peacock Corridor: A 500 kV, approximately 20-mile line that travels west to interconnect with the existing Peacock Substation
- Yavapai Corridor: A 500 kV, approximately 50-mile line that travels east to interconnect with the existing Yavapai Station

How it Works
Pumped hydro storage is a common, proven technology used worldwide to support smart-grid transmission and efficient energy storage and usage. This facility will pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during periods of high renewable generation and/or low electrical demand and store it as potential energy, like a large electric battery. The facility can return the stored energy to the grid on demand by flowing water by gravity through a generation turbine back to the lower reservoir. Transmission lines carry the energy to where it’s needed – presenting an integrated generation and transmission solution for the region.