using Gravity to store solar energy

[prosperity4all]

using Gravity to store solar energy

To Boost Renewable Energy, Look to Gravity

Solar is now cheapest electricity in history says IEA

 

[Ophiolite]

To Boost Renewable Energy, Look to Gravity

An example of this hydro-storage has been operating in Scotland, at Cruachan Power Station, for over fifty years. The site, close to Oban, is well worth a visit for anyone holidaying in the west of Scotland - once the pandemic is over. Guided tours take one a kilometre into the heart of the mountain, where one views the generators in a vast chamber blasted out of the granite.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

That would work well is some areas. However most densely populated areas with high electric demand would use all that power as it is produced. Also the losses from pumping the water aren't recoverable.

 

[Ophiolite]

That would work well is some areas. However most densely populated areas with high electric demand would use all that power as it is produced.

I can add electricity distribution systems to the topics you are not well infomed on. Good to know.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I can add electricity distribution systems to the topics you are not well infomed on. Good to know.

The topic is energy storage, not electricity distribution systems.

I'm a "Jack of all trades, master of none."

 

[Ophiolite]

The topic is energy storage, not electricity distribution systems.

And thereby you confirm your ignorance of the subject. The energy distribution system is vital to effective energy storage systems. You need to take the energy from where it is produced to where it is stored and thence to where it used. Properly organised this renders irrelevant your objection that "most densely populated areas with high electric demand would use all that power as it is produced".

 

[OldWiseGuy]

And thereby you confirm your ignorance of the subject. The energy distribution system is vital to effective energy storage systems. You need to take the energy from where it is produced to where it is stored and thence to where it used. Properly organised this renders irrelevant your objection that "most densely populated areas with high electric demand would use all that power as it is produced".

If fed to the grid directly there would be no energy loss due to pumping water.

There are much better ways to reduce the use of fossils fuels.

 

[Ophiolite]

If fed to the grid directly there would be no energy loss due to pumping water.

Really! Your stubborn unawareness is frustrating. Here it is in simple terms:

• The sun shines only during the day.
  
• We can use (the increasingly inexpensive) electricity from solar power generators, in part, for punped storage. [Same applies for wind power and any other intermittent source]
  
• Then we can use that pumped storage to generate eletricity for night time, or peak demand.

There are much better ways to reduce the use of fossils fuels.

There is no single best solution. A multiplicity of solutions, adapted to regional and national conditions, is the best approach. Pumped storage is one of the range of options.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

• Then we can use that pumped storage to generate eletricity for night time, or peak demand.

Peak demand occurs during the day. Off-peak occurs at night and is best served by the current system. Generators can be operated at maximum efficiency (not idled down) and the excess energy stored for later use. Much cheaper than solar and very effective. Solar, wind, and hydro should be fed directly into the grid during peak use periods.

I agree that many approaches are needed. The most effective is 'conservation and insulation'.

 

[Speedwell]

Peak demand occurs during the day. Off-peak occurs at night and is best served by the current system. Generators can be operated at maximum efficiency (not idled down) and the excess energy stored for later use. Much cheaper than solar and very effective. Solar, wind, and hydro should be fed directly into the grid during peak use periods.

Stored how?

I agree that many approaches are needed. The most effective is 'conservation and insulation'.

From a scientific standpoint you are correct--except, of course, when conservation and insulation are proposed by Democrats, then they are socialist and evil.

 

[Speedwell]

If fed to the grid directly there would be no energy loss due to pumping water.

There are much better ways to reduce the use of fossils fuels.

The grid is part of the problem. Much of it is a century old, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there were still components of it that were put in place by Tesla himself. It is inefficient by modern standards enjoyed in other countries, prone to breakdown and ill adapted to the distributed nature of renewable sources like solar and wind.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Stored how?

In heat sinks, for space and water heating in public buildings. The power companies could offer excess electricity at bargain rates if the municipality would provide the necessary infrastructure. Off-peak production is used by many now at low rates but there is room for more. The best thing of course is to balance production and use as much as possible while retaining reserve production capacity.

The biggest hurdle for widespread use of renewable energy is the cost to the consumer. Fossil fuel produced energy is still cheaper.

From a scientific standpoint you are correct--except, of course, when conservation and insulation are proposed by Democrats, then they are socialist and evil.

I don't mean a government program for this, although the government can offer incentives and guidelines.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The grid is part of the problem. Much of it is a century old, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there were still components of it that were put in place by Tesla himself. It is inefficient by modern standards enjoyed in other countries, prone to breakdown and ill adapted to the distributed nature of renewable sources like solar and wind.

True. Distribution losses are huge. A downside of a big country.

 

[Speedwell]

I don't mean a government program for this, although the government can offer incentives and guidelines.

Be careful: that's what the Green New Deal proposes. I wouldn't want you to succumb to the Forces of Darkness.

 

[Speedwell]

True. Distribution losses are huge. A downside of a big country.

With an outmoded electricity grid. I wonder what ever happened to Infrastructure Week?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Be careful: that's what the Green New Deal proposes. I wouldn't want you to succumb to the Forces of Darkness.

These proposals have been out there for decades. The problem is large older buildings that waste enormous amounts of energy. It's not easy or cheap to upgrade them. Then you have property rights of the owners to deal with as well. You can only issue so many expensive mandates.

That said the insulation companies in my city are very busy.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

With an outmoded electricity grid. I wonder what ever happened to Infrastructure Week?

News at Eleven:
‘Infrastructure week’ won’t be punchline under Biden administration, Buttigieg pledges

 

[prosperity4all]

using Gravity to Store Renewable Energy

 

[SkyWriting]

That would work well is some areas. However most densely populated areas with high electric demand would use all that power as it is produced. Also the losses from pumping the water aren't recoverable.

It allows for both solar and wind energy to be stored for evening use making them a less expensive and reliable source.

https://www.energy-storage.news/ene...l-gravity-storage-tech-ahead-of-nyse-listing/
Energy Vault’s existing 5MW demonstrator project in Switzerland. Image: Energy Vault.

 

[prosperity4all]

34,000-Ton ‘Infinity Train’ Will Recharge Itself ... With Gravity