I think the coolest thing about this concept (for me) is viewing it as a "whole-system" energy storage procedure. It is effectively 100% renewable, 100% distri

I think the coolest thing about this concept (for me) is viewing it as a "whole-system" energy storage procedure. It is effectively 100% renewable, 100% distributable, using 100% commodities (ie: rocks in a hole). As a thought experiment: if on average you can meet 110%+ daily power expenditure captured from renewables (solar, wind, whatever), and store it by lifting up these weights, then you've broken into the "free energy" loop. More specifically, don't look at the power input or storage, look at the power output / usage. If your input + storage capacity is greater than your output rate then energy effectively becomes "free forever". Simulate it on a small scale. Get a pinwheel to run a small motor that winds something up. Attach a small LED to it that you only run occasionally. Basically, just so long as you have a really small output draw compared to your input rate and storage capacity, this "battery" will give you energy when you want it with minimal maintenance costs and minimal consumables.