Why can’t we build a pumped hydro plant, using the Heavitree Range?
Alice Springs has a strong history of solar energy innovation and many smart minds have considered this idea. It is accepted that the volume of water required to build a large enough hydro plant is beyond what is feasible. A smaller plant could be built, but it would have no material value.
Any technology that relies upon water in Central Australia is naturally problematic because the region is arid and relies upon a finite source of groundwater. This is why hydrogen isn’t an ideal solution in this area of Australia.
Other considerations relating to ideas of this nature are native title and the Sacred Sites Act, governing the protection of the West MacDonnell ranges and other areas around Alice Springs. However, these cannot be considered as barriers given the absence of technical feasibility for this idea.