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Why are they not using the excess solar power to lift large weights above the ground that can be released and lowered to power generators during the night?
by Podgajski 3y ago
Why are they not using the excess solar power to lift large weights above the ground that can be released and lowered to power generators during the night?
- teraflop 3y agoBecause the physical infrastructure to do that is very large and expensive. To put it in perspective: a cubic yard of concrete costs roughly US$125, and the amount of energy you can store by lifting one of those cubic yards 10 meters into the air is worth something on the order of $0.01, assuming perfect efficiency.
- Armisael16 3y agoSetting up large enough weights to lift is incredibly expensive - it’s a terrible way to use power, let alone store it.
- twic 3y agoJust make them out of water.
- anonporridge 3y agoStill very expensive you don't have geography that gives you elevated storage containers for free.
- Podgajski 3y agoDig a hole!
- ZeroGravitas 3y agoThey have cheaper options to use first like: * exporting to neighbouring grids * charging batteries * reducing hydro output Which you can see in action here today: https://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/supply.html#section-supply-trend https://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/supply.html#sectio... (You can change the date to March-May to see it actually go negative on imports, i.e. export excess.)
- aidenn0 3y agoCalifornia has pumped hydro, so they are.
- idlewords 3y agoThis is done in some places in the world, water gets pumped into reservoirs that provide energy again when they discharge.
- m0llusk 3y agoThis is being experimented with. So far it seems to work best in abandoned wells which provide a controlled space for horizontal movements.