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Similar to those gravity power modules: a company called Ares (https://www.aresnorthamerica.com/ https://www.aresnorthamerica.com/) is trying to use much smalle

Similar to those gravity power modules: a company called Ares (https://www.aresnorthamerica.com/ https://www.aresnorthamerica.com/) is trying to use much smaller concrete 'cars' on rails to store energy. Not sure of the status of it but it looked promising to me. The direct use of compressed air is interesting. Taking it to the extreme, you could have compressed air as your primary utility piped through your home, and have appliances that run off compressed air. Refrigeration cycle is compression based anyway for example. You would still need some electricity for control circuits for example, but you might be able to keep the heavy lifting air-based.

VikingCoder 8y ago
Nah, there's water-based computers, there could be compressed air computers. Picturing the different logic gates running on compressed air is a hoot.
- mikeash 8y ago
  You should check out Ted Chiang’s story “Exhalation.”
  - VikingCoder 8y ago
    This seems to be a legal copy of it? http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Ted%20Chiang.html http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Te...
    - mikeash 8y ago
      That’s the one. I have no special insight into the legality, but it looks legitimate to me.
sandworm101 8y ago
In the midwest, running compressed air through a home is called amish electricity. They do use it for many things. Ive seen air-powered blenders. (Air power is a big thing for woodworking and so its use in the home too is no suprise.)
- newman8r 8y ago
  I had no idea these existed, I want these when I move back off-grid. https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/kitchen-food-prep/non-electric-kitchen-appliances/air-powered-appliances https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/kitchen-food-prep/non-elec...
  - sandworm101 8y ago
    It is functional but has many issues. Water/condensation in the lines is a big deal in winter. Running pipes in walls makes leak detection difficult. They are all also very very loud.
- grawprog 8y ago
  Stoneworking too. Most of our hand tools are air powered. The CNC machines use compressed air for the waterjet, the vacuums, changing tools and probably other things. The shop has several tanks and a backup air compressor. There can be weird problems and their expensive. The main compressor's been shutting down randomly and it's going to cost $700 just for the kit we need to repair it.
newman8r 8y ago
I looked at the Ares 'team page' and I personally know the CEO of that company, but I didn't know he was working with that company. super random. Your refrigeration example is interesting - now I'm curious if there's any refrigerators on the market that can power the compressor via compressed air intake (so it would still use closed-loop refrigerant, but the compressor would use air instead of electricity)
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
skykooler 8y ago
I assume you'd still need electricity for things like lighting, right? (I can't think of a way to directly generate light from air pressure without converting it to electricity first.)
- solarkraft 8y ago
  Generate heat through friction ... okay, that's crazy. But fire would work (& could be controlled through air flow).

VikingCoder 8y ago

Nah, there's water-based computers, there could be compressed air computers. Picturing the different logic gates running on compressed air is a hoot.

mikeash 8y ago
You should check out Ted Chiang’s story “Exhalation.”
- VikingCoder 8y ago
  This seems to be a legal copy of it? http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Ted%20Chiang.html http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Te...
  - mikeash 8y ago
    That’s the one. I have no special insight into the legality, but it looks legitimate to me.

sandworm101 8y ago

In the midwest, running compressed air through a home is called amish electricity. They do use it for many things. Ive seen air-powered blenders. (Air power is a big thing for woodworking and so its use in the home too is no suprise.)

newman8r 8y ago
I had no idea these existed, I want these when I move back off-grid. https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/kitchen-food-prep/non-electric-kitchen-appliances/air-powered-appliances https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/kitchen-food-prep/non-elec...
- sandworm101 8y ago
  It is functional but has many issues. Water/condensation in the lines is a big deal in winter. Running pipes in walls makes leak detection difficult. They are all also very very loud.
grawprog 8y ago
Stoneworking too. Most of our hand tools are air powered. The CNC machines use compressed air for the waterjet, the vacuums, changing tools and probably other things. The shop has several tanks and a backup air compressor. There can be weird problems and their expensive. The main compressor's been shutting down randomly and it's going to cost $700 just for the kit we need to repair it.

newman8r 8y ago

I looked at the Ares 'team page' and I personally know the CEO of that company, but I didn't know he was working with that company. super random. Your refrigeration example is interesting - now I'm curious if there's any refrigerators on the market that can power the compressor via compressed air intake (so it would still use closed-loop refrigerant, but the compressor would use air instead of electricity)

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

skykooler 8y ago

I assume you'd still need electricity for things like lighting, right? (I can't think of a way to directly generate light from air pressure without converting it to electricity first.)

solarkraft 8y ago
Generate heat through friction ... okay, that's crazy. But fire would work (& could be controlled through air flow).