7 ms·

energy storage density of heating water >> lifting water. 1m^2 of water heated by 50C (20C → 70C) = 58KWh lifting 1m^2 of water by 10 meters (~ 3 stories!) =

• psadri 4y ago
  I think in the future we will see more homes with: Gray water recovery Thermal batteries (hot and cold) - Excess solar energy can be use to "charge" the hot or cold reservoirs for later use depending on season. Effluent heat recovery - Home appliances generate lots of heat (clothes driers, ovens, refrigerators, ...) that is currently vented to the atmosphere. Capture and use it to "charge" the hot battery. - I'd imagine a water (or other liquid) line that connects to each appliance's exhaust via a heat exchanger to make the above more efficient as a standard part of home plumbing. Smart appliances that sync with the home's energy system - eg: clothes dryer that has the option to turn only when there is excess electricity available. Same with EV charging, etc... [Edited for typos]
  • starlust2 4y ago
    > Lots of home appliances generate lots of heat (clothes driers, ovens, refrigerators, ...) that is currently vented to the atmosphere. it'd love to capture that and use it to "charge" the hot battery. I've seen systems that use waste heat from central A/C to heat a swimming pool. In addition to the condenser they have a heat exchanger connected to the coolant line. Pool water is pumped through the heat exchanger and back out to the pool.