Gravity Battery 1

[Scott P Jr]

I am trying to figure out how the energy density of a gravity battery (Energy Vault) would be calculated ?

I know the formula is energy/unit volume, but with a system that uses cranes or large lifts, would you use the full volume of the height the mass as lifted to ?

Thanks

Scott

 

[drawoh]

Scott P Jr,

The energy contained in a gravity battery is the lifted weight, times the elevation. If I lift a big chunk of (hopefully) depleted uranium, there will be less elevation and less mechanical volume for a given amount of energy. Is this what you mean by energy density?

--
JHG

 

[LittleInch]

JB - To be "efficient" the energy storage should be working at least 75% of the time - so storing say Solar energy during the day then releasing at night so pretty constant operation of the cables.

but cables should be relatively cheap. It's how long the motor generators and the switch gear for all this stop start reverse action its getting.

The main structure and weights though should last a long time. not so sure out the wheels on the weights, but again, maybe not a big renewal cost once you've built the thing.

Just needs oodles of space. and money.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[TugboatEng]

Switchgear? This system should operate very similar to the electric motor in a car with regenerative breaking. In fact, a compact electric car motor and controller would probably be just the right size for this project because that's about the same amount of power raising and lowering each weight is going to produce.

 

[MJCronin]

.... well, .... I feel better....

As long as this machine is based on a firmly established, and tested technology, I have no problem investing in it..

It's those half-assed fever dreams of MBAs, Project Management Institute Grads, entrepreneurs and investment bankers that you have to watch out for ....

But I have been told that I am not a "team player" before ..

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[rb1957]

really ? "surely" this is so capital inefficient as to be unviable ?

unless it's used for carbon trading !? Look, we've created so much Carbon-free power storage that we can offset our other coal burning power stations ??

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[itsmoked]

Can't see it working with all the sideways moving. Why not just use one winch per block. Up/down in a building?

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[dhengr]

Come on you guys, so many nay-sayers? They are going to make the energy storage blocks out of solid lithium, they heard that’s pretty good for energy storage batteries.

 

[SuperSalad]

There is undoubtedly a lot of energy just itching to get out of solid lithium

- Andrew

 

[TugboatEng]

Climate change means it's never going to rain again. Without humidity I see no problems using solid lithium. Just don't lick it.

 

[IRstuff]

Lithium's entire column in the periodic table is energetic; they should just go straight to rubidium or cesium ;-)

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm