The Hoover Dam may soon be converted into a giant pumped-hydro energy storage device.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has announced a $3 billion (£2.3bn) plan to pump water to Lake Mead, the dam’s reservoir, using excess solar and wind energy generated across the state.

This water would then be released at a later time, likely when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing – it would rush out through turbines, turning them to generate power.

Reiko Kerr, Senior Assistant Manager of Power Systems at LADWP, said: “I think it’s a phenomenal project because it helps solve a challenge we are currently facing – the state in general has way too many renewables at the end of the day.”

The project has the advantage of having most of the necessary infrastructure already installed – the dam is already a 2GW hydroelectric facility but is under-utilised.