Energy storage and supply system and method

Abstract

The energy storage and supply system comprises an elevator car, where the elevator car is operable to store energy (e.g., by potential energy of the blocks in the higher position) by moving one or more blocks from a lower position to a higher position, and to generate electricity (e.g., by kinetic energy of the blocks when moved to the lower position) by moving one or more blocks from a higher position to a lower position (e.g., by gravity). The blocks are moved equal vertical distances between the lower and higher positions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] All applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in an Application Data Sheet filed with this application are hereby incorporated by reference under 35 U.S.C. 35 U.S.C. 119.

[0002] The present invention relates to an energy storage and supply system, and more particularly to an energy storage and supply system for storing and supplying electricity by vertical movement of blocks or bricks. [Background technology]

[0003] Electricity generation from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar energy, wind, hydroelectric power, biomass, etc.) continues to increase. However, many of these renewable energy sources (e.g., solar energy, wind power) are intermittent and unpredictable, limiting the amount of power that can be supplied to the power grid from intermittent renewable energy sources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Thus, there is a need for improved systems that ensure electricity generated by renewable energy sources for predictable delivery to the power grid. As used herein, a power grid is an interconnected network for the delivery of electricity from generators to consumers, spanning large geographic regions, including cities, states, and / or countries.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a gravity-driven energy storage and supply system is provided. An exemplary gravity-driven energy storage and supply system includes an elevator car operable to store energy by moving one or more blocks from a lower position to a higher position, and to generate electricity by moving one or more blocks from a higher position to a lower position under gravity.

[0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the energy storage and supply system may, in some examples, store solar energy to generate electricity off-hours. The energy storage and supply system may store solar energy as potential energy in the blocks during the day when solar power generation is abundant by moving the blocks from a lower to a higher position. The energy storage system may then operate at night to move the blocks from the higher to a lower position to drive a generator to generate electricity for supply to the power grid.

[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for storing and generating electricity is provided. The method includes moving a plurality of blocks from a lower position on the tower to a higher position on the tower by operating an elevator car on a tower and storing energy in the blocks, each of the blocks storing an amount of energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of the block. The method also includes moving the blocks from the higher position on the tower to the lower position on the tower under gravity by operating the elevator car, thereby generating an amount of electricity corresponding to an amount of kinetic energy of the one or more blocks as they are moved from the higher position to the lower position. The method includes moving the blocks such that an average load on the tower is substantially constant during operation of the crane or elevator car.

[0008] According to one aspect of the disclosure, an energy storage and delivery system is provided comprising one or more modules, each module comprising a frame having a vertical height from a base defined by a plurality of horizontally extending rows and a plurality of blocks, the frame comprising an upper portion having a first set of rows, each of the first set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon, a lower portion having a second set of rows, each of the second set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon, an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion that is free of blocks, a pair of elevator shafts disposed at opposite end portions of the plurality of rows, and an elevator cage movably disposed in each of the pair of elevator shafts and operably coupled to a motor-generator, the elevator cage sized to receive and support one or more blocks therein. The elevator car in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to store an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of one or more blocks by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows. The elevator car in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to generate electrical power by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows under gravity. The elevator car moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an energy storage and delivery system is provided. The system includes a frame having a vertical height from a foundation defined by a plurality of blocks and a plurality of rows extending horizontally. The frame includes an upper portion having a first set of rows, each of the first set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon, a lower portion having a second set of rows, each of the second set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon, an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion that is free of blocks, and a pair of elevator shafts disposed at opposite end portions of the plurality of rows. A trolley is movably coupled to each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows, the trolley operable to move under the blocks in the rows and configured to lift blocks for horizontal movement of the blocks along the rows. An elevator car is movably disposed in each of the pair of elevator shafts and operably coupled to a motor-generator. The elevator car is sized to lift blocks from a row and retain and support the blocks within the elevator car while traveling along the elevator shaft, the elevator car being further configured to lower blocks into rows at different vertical heights. The elevator car in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to store an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of the blocks by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows. The elevator car in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to generate electrical power by moving one or more of the blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows under gravity.The elevator car moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows.

[0010] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for storing and generating electricity is provided. The method includes manipulating a pair of elevator cars at opposite ends of a plurality of rows of a frame to move a plurality of blocks between a first set of rows at an upper portion of the frame and a second set of corresponding rows at a lower portion of the frame that is disposed below a middle portion of the frame that is devoid of blocks. Manipulating the pair of elevator cars includes storing an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of the blocks by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows with the pair of elevator cars. Manipulating the pair of elevator cars also includes generating electrical power by a motor-generator electrically coupled to the elevator cars by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows under gravity with the pair of elevator cars. The elevator cars move the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows.

[0011] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of storing and generating electricity is provided. The method includes moving one or more blocks horizontally along alternating rows of a first set of rows on a top of a frame with a trolley toward an elevator car on opposite ends of the rows. The method also includes generating electrical power by operating the elevator car to move one or more blocks vertically under gravity across a middle portion of the frame to corresponding alternating rows of a second set of the rows of the frame with a motor-generator electrically coupled to the elevator car. The elevator car moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the alternating rows of the first set of rows and corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an elevator car assembly for use in an energy storage and supply system for moving blocks between a low tower position and a high tower position, storing energy, and generating electricity by moving blocks under gravity between the high tower position and the low tower position. The elevator car assembly includes an elevator car, a base disposed below the elevator car, and a sliding mechanism drivable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base. The elevator car has one or more supports movable relative to an elevator car bottom support, the one or more supports drivable to raise or lower blocks relative to the bottom support. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an energy storage and supply system for storing energy and generating electricity on demand. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the system of FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of an energy storage and supply system showing an arrangement of blocks at the top of a tower of two adjacent modules similar to the system in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of four modules of an energy storage and supply system, each similar to the system in FIG. 1, with the modules positioned adjacent to each other. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing a trolley movably coupled to a beam of a row of the system and illustrating a block supported on the beam of the row. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the system of FIG. 5 showing a trolley movably coupled to a beam of a row of the system and illustrating blocks supported on the beam of the row. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 5 showing a trolley movably coupled to a beam of a row of the system and illustrating a block supported on the beam of the row. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for moving blocks along the rows of the tower and transferring them to the elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partial schematic side view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks from the elevator car to the tower rows. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partial schematic side view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks from the elevator car to the tower rows. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a partial schematic side view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks from the elevator car to the tower rows. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial schematic bottom view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks to an elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a partial schematic bottom view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks to an elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a partial schematic bottom view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks to an elevator car for vertical movement in the elevator shaft of the system. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks from the elevator car to the rows of the tower. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks from the elevator car to the rows of the tower. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a partial schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the sequence of steps for transferring blocks from the elevator car to the rows of the tower. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a partial schematic side view of one implementation of a lift mechanism for an elevator car in the system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a partial schematic side view of the operation of the lift mechanism of FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a partial schematic side view of another implementation of a lift mechanism for an elevator car in the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a partial schematic side view of another implementation of a lift mechanism for the elevator car in the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a schematic side view of a portion of the lift drive system. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a schematic side view of a portion of the lift drive system. [Diagram 30]FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of a lift drive system on a tower operable to lift blocks in an adjacent elevator shaft. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the placement of blocks in the tower and the movement of blocks from the top of the tower to the bottom of the tower for power generation. [Figure 32A] FIG. 32A is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the movement of blocks from the top of the tower to the bottom of the tower for power generation. [Figure 32B] FIG. 32B is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the movement of blocks from the top of the tower to the bottom of the tower for power generation. [Figure 32C] FIG. 32C is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the movement of blocks from the top of the tower to the bottom of the tower for power generation. [Fig. 32D] FIG. 32D is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 1 illustrating the movement of blocks from the top of the tower to the bottom of the tower for power generation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Described below is an energy storage and delivery system operable to convert electricity into potential energy and generate electricity from the potential energy when there is a demand for electricity. The energy storage and delivery system may be operatively coupled to an electric power grid to stabilize the electric power grid and to provide electricity to residential, commercial, and / or industrial consumers.

[0015] 1-2 illustrate an exemplary energy storage and delivery system 1000 ("system") operable to convert electrical energy, or electricity, into potential energy for storage and to convert potential energy into electrical energy, or electricity, for delivery to a power grid, for example.

[0016] The system 1000 includes a frame or tower 1100 (also referred to in this disclosure as a module) having one or more columns 1120 extending in a height direction Z of the tower 1100, one or more rows or floors 1140 extending in a width direction X of the frame or tower 1100, and one or more structures 1110 (e.g., slices of modules 1100) defined by sets of rows 1140 and columns 1120 in a depth direction Y of the frame or tower 1100. Each structure 1110 (e.g., slices of modules 1100) can be independently operated depending on the energy demand from the system 1000. The frame 1100 has an upper portion 1102, a lower portion 1104, and a middle portion 1106. In one implementation, ballast weights or blocks 1300 are moved between the upper portion 1102 and the lower portion 1104, allowing the middle portion 1106 to be used for other purposes, as described further below.

[0017] In one implementation, the middle section 1106 can be used for vertical farming. For example, the middle section 1106 can operate as a greenhouse, providing illuminated hydroponics, where such lighting can be supplied with power generated by the energy storage and supply system 1000 (e.g., by lowering the block 1300). In another implementation, the middle section 1106 can be used for water storage. In another implementation, the middle section 1106 can be used as a warehouse (e.g., an unmanned material storehouse) for storing materials. In yet another embodiment, the middle section 1106 can be used as a data center (e.g., housing computer servers), where the data center can be supplied with power generated by the energy storage and supply system 1000 (e.g., by lowering the block 1300). Thus, the middle section 1106 can be used productively and not remain empty during the operation of the system 1000, providing added value to the system 1000.

[0018] The top 1102 and bottom 1104 may have the same dimensions (e.g., the same number of rows 1140 and columns 1120). In some implementations, the number of rows 1140 in the top 1102 and bottom 1104, respectively, is even (e.g., 8, 10, or 12 rows). In other implementations, the number of rows 1140 in the top 1102 and bottom 1104, respectively, is odd (e.g., 9, 11, or 13 rows).

[0019] In one implementation, the upper portion 1102 and the lower portion 1104 each make up ¼ of the height or area of ​​the frame or tower 1100, and the middle portion 1106 makes up the remaining ½ of the height or area of ​​the frame or tower 1100. In another implementation, the upper portion 1102 and the lower portion 1104 each make up ⅓ of the height or area of ​​the frame or tower 1100, and the middle portion 1106 makes up the remaining ⅓ of the height or area of ​​the frame or tower 1100.

[0020] The frame 1100 includes multiple elevator shafts 1130. For example, the frame 1100 may have elevator shaft(s) 1130A at one end of the row 1140 and elevator shaft(s) 1130B at the opposite end of the row 1140 (for each structure 1110) through which the blocks 1300 are moved between one or more rows 1140 in the upper portion 1102 of the frame 1100 and one or more rows in the lower portion 1104 of the frame 1100, as described further below. In one implementation, there are a number of elevator shafts 1130A at one end of the row 1140 of the frame or tower 1100 equal to the number of elevator shafts 1130B at the opposite end of the row 1140. The frame or tower 1100 may have the height of a 30-story building (e.g., about 90 meters tall) in one implementation. However, the frame or tower 1100 may have a height below 30 stories or above 30 stories (eg, 120 meters).

[0021] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the block 1300 is moved horizontally along the row 1140 to the elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B at the end of the row 1140 (by a trolley in each row 1140, described further below), and then moved vertically along the elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B by an elevator cage assembly 1400 in each elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B (described in more detail below). The elevator cage assembly 1400 generates electricity by moving to a lower position (e.g., under gravity) and is pulled up to the top of the tower or frame 1100 by a motor-generator (1500 in FIG. 24, 2500 in FIG. 28). A counterweight CW facilitates the movement of the elevator cage assembly 1400. The movement of the elevator cage assembly 1400 in the opposite elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B is synchronized to maximize the efficiency of the system 1000.

[0022] The longer the row 1140 between the elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B, the more blocks 1300 (e.g., mass) the row 1140 can hold, and the more energy (e.g., energy time) the system 1000 can provide. The deeper the elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B (in the Y direction) (e.g., the greater the number of slices of the structure 1110 or module 1100 in the Y direction), the greater the amount of power the system 1000 can generate. In one implementation, operation of the elevator cage assembly 1400 in each elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B can provide between about 500 kW and about 1000 kW (e.g., about 800 kW) of power, such that the two elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B in one slice of the structure 1110 or module 1100 can generate about 1.6 MW. In a system with eight structures 1110 (e.g., slices of modules 1100) in the Y direction, each structure 1110 having two elevator shafts 1130, 1130B, the system can generate approximately 12.8 MW of power. Assuming the length of the rows 1140 allows for four hours of energy, the total output of the system is approximately 12.8 MW x 4 hours, or 51.2 megawatt hours.

[0023] As best shown in FIG. 2 , the frame 1100 may be made of a number of pillars 1160 (e.g., made of reinforced concrete, precast concrete pillars) that define one or more columns 1120, cross members 1170 (e.g., made of metal, bracing members) that interconnect the columns 1120 (e.g., in the width direction X of the frame 1100) to provide stability to the frame 1100, and a number of beams (e.g., I-beams) 1180 that define one or more rows 1140 and are supported on cross beams 1190 that extend in the depth direction Y of the frame 1100 between the columns 1120. The beams 1180 and cross beams 1190 may be made of metal (e.g., steel). The columns 1120 may be spaced apart from one another in the depth direction Y of the frame 1100 by a distance 1122, and the rows 1140 may be spaced apart from one another in the height direction Z of the frame 1100 by a distance 1142. The distances 1122, 1142 are sized to allow one or more blocks 1300 to fit in each row (side by side) such that the blocks 1300 are supported on the beams 1180, as discussed further below. In some implementations, the distances 1122, 1142 are identical, allowing the blocks 1300 to have substantially square end faces (see FIG. 12), which can, for example, simplify the manufacture of the blocks 1300. In some implementations, the blocks 1300 can be made from local soil and / or remunerated waste material (e.g., coal combustion residues such as bottom ash, fiberglass from decommissioned wind turbine blades, tailings from mining processes) or other reclaimed materials.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of a portion of an energy storage and supply system 1000′ having two modules 1000A, 1000B arranged adjacent to each other. The modules 1000A, 1000B are respectively similar to the module 1100 of the energy storage and supply system 1000 shown in FIGS. 1-2. Thus, the reference numbers used to indicate the various components of the modules 1000A, 1000B are identical to the reference numbers used to indicate the corresponding components of the module 1100 in FIGS. 1-2, except for the addition of "A" or "B" to the end of the numerical identifier. Thus, it will be understood that the structure and description of the various features of the module 1100 in FIGS. 1-2 also apply to the corresponding features of the modules 1000A, 1000B of the system 1000′ in FIG. 3, except as described below.

[0025] The elevator shafts 1130AA, 1130AB of the modules 1000A, 1000B may be adjacent to each other, and the rows 1140A, 1140B are generally oriented in the same direction (e.g., facing each other) for both modules 1000A, 1000B (e.g., at the tops 1102A, 1102B). As shown in FIG. 7, none of the blocks 1300 are stored in the middle sections 1106A, 1106B of the frames 1100A, 1100B of the modules 1000A, 1000B of the system 1000'. As discussed above, the middle sections 1106A, 1106B may be used for other purposes. Optionally, the middle section 1106A of the module 1100A is used for a different purpose than the middle section 1106B of the module 1100B.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a top or plan view of an energy storage and delivery system 1000″ including four modules 1000A, 1000B, 1000C, 1000D arranged adjacent to one another. Modules 1000A, 1000B, 1000C, 1000D are each similar to module 1100 shown in FIGS. 1-2. Thus, the reference numbers used to indicate the various components of modules 1000A, 1000B, 1000C, 1000D are identical to the reference numbers used to indicate the corresponding components of module 1100 in FIGS. 1-2, except for the addition of “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” to the end of the numeric identifier. Therefore, it will be understood that the structures and descriptions of the various features of the system or module 1100 in Figures 1-2 also apply to corresponding features of modules 1000A, 1000B, 1000C, and 1000D of the system 1000'' in Figure 4, except as described below.

[0027] Like module 1100, modules 1000A-1000D each have two sets of elevator shafts at opposite ends of a row of the system. For example, module 1000A has elevator shafts 1130AA and 1130BA at opposite ends of row 1140A, module 1000B has elevator shafts 1130AB and 1130BB at opposite ends of row 1140B, module 1000C has elevator shafts 1130AC and 1130BC at opposite ends of row 1140C, and module 1000D has elevator shafts 1130AD and 1130BD at opposite ends of row 1140D.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, each of the modules 1000A, 1000B, 1000C, 1000D is arranged such that each set of rows 1140A, 1140B, 1140C, 1140D extends orthogonally (e.g., perpendicularly) to the rows in the adjacent modules 1000A-1000D. For example, row 1140A of module 1000A extends orthogonally to row 1140B of module 1000B and to row 1140D of module 1000D. This orthogonal arrangement between modules 1000A-1000D enhances the stability of each of the modules 1000A-1000D and preferably provides self-bracing (e.g., bracing against wind and / or seismic forces) to the modules 1000A-1000D in any direction. As explained above, the cross members 1170 (e.g., diagonal braces) interconnect the columns 1120 (e.g., in the width direction X of the frame 1100) to provide stability to the modules 1100 along the direction of the rows 1140. However, there are no cross members in the direction across the frame or modules 1100. Thus, orthogonally arranging the modules 1000A-1000D to each other advantageously allows the cross members 1170 in one frame 1100 to provide structural stability or braces to adjacent modules 1000A-1000D in a direction that does not have any cross members 1170. Each of the modules 1000A-1000D can be operated independently of each other. For example, during operation, one or more (e.g., one, two, three, or four) of the modules 1000A-1000D may be operated to store and generate electricity (e.g., on demand), or only some of the modules 1000A-1000D may be operated while maintenance is performed on the remaining modules 1000A-1000D.

[0029] 4 shows four modules 1000A-1000D, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the system 1000'' may optionally have any number of modules (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12) that may be arranged in the manner described above. Thus, the energy storage and supply system is scalable and may provide energy storage and supply on the order of several gigawatt hours (GWh). The modules 1000A-1000D may operate near clean energy plants (e.g., solar energy plants, wind power plants) and may be operated to store at least a portion of the clean energy plants (e.g., for supply to the power grid during off hours such as at night).

[0030] 5-7 show features of a system 1000 for moving a block 1300 along a row 1140, and all of the above descriptions of the features of the system 1000 apply to the features illustrated in FIGURES 5-7. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the same features in FIGURES 5-7 and described below can be implemented in the systems 1000', 1000'' in FIGURES 3-4, and therefore the descriptions below also apply to the systems 1000', 1000'' in FIGURES 3-4.

[0031] 5, the block 1300 may be supported (e.g., in a fixed position) on a pair of beams 1180 in a row 1140 of the frame or tower 1100. The beams 1180 may have an I-beam or C-shaped cross section that defines a groove 1182 (best shown in FIG. 7) between the top (e.g., top flange) of the beam 1180, on which the block 1300 is supported, and the bottom (e.g., bottom flange) of the beam 1180. The beams 1180 extend toward the elevator shaft 1130 and allow transfer of the block 1300 to an elevator cage assembly 1400 in the elevator shaft 1130, which may be manipulated to move the block 1300 to different vertical positions, as described further below. One implementation of the elevator cage assembly 1400 is shown in FIGS. 8-23. A motor-generator 1500 (see FIG. 24, or 2500 in FIG. 28) may be mounted in or adjacent to at least a portion of the elevator shaft 1130 (e.g., at a vertical position above the top of the elevator car assembly 1400).

[0032] The block 1300 may have a generally rectangular (e.g., square) shape when viewed from end (see FIG. 7). In some implementations, the block 1300 may have one or more (e.g., a pair of) chamfered or truncated corners 1310 that generally correspond to the shape of the tapered ends 1162 of the pillars 1160. A hook (e.g., C-shaped) 1183 (see FIG. 5) of the beam 1180 may be supported by the tapered ends 1162 of the pillars 1160 that extend below the beam 1180 and may at least partially surround the pillars 1160 that extend above the beam 1180 to facilitate coupling of the beam 1180 to the pillars 1160 and secure the beam 1180 laterally (in the X-direction) to the pillars 1160. As mentioned above, in some implementations, the width 1122 and height 1142 of the row 1140 are approximately equal and define a square shape. In one implementation, the block 1300 is sized to approximate the width 1122 and height 1142 of the row 1140 , allowing the block 1300 to pass through the openings in the row 1140 .

[0033] The trolley 1200 may be movably coupled to the beam 1180 and may be selectively positioned beneath a block 1300 supported on the beam 1180 (see FIG. 7). Each row 1140 having one or more blocks 1300 supported on the beam 1180 of the row 1140 may have one or more trolleys 1200 to move the blocks 1300 along the row 1140. The trolley 1200 may include wheels 1210 on opposite sides of a frame 1230, where the wheels 1210 move (e.g., roll) within grooves 1182 of the (pair of) beams 1180 on which the blocks 1300 are supported (e.g., the wheels 1210 roll on the bottom flanges of the beams 1180). The trolley 1200 also includes one or more drivable support pistons 1220, e.g., on opposing sides of the frame 1230, that face a bottom side of the block 1300 when the trolley 1200 is disposed under the block 1300. The support pistons 1220 are drivable (e.g., hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically by a motor-generator) between a retracted state in which the support pistons 1220 are not in contact with the block 1300, and an extended position in which the support pistons 1220 are moved vertically (e.g., upwards) from the frame 1230 so as to contact the block 1300 and lift the block 1300 (e.g., about 2 centimeters or 1 inch) above the beam 1180 (e.g., allowing the trolley 1200 to move the block 1300 horizontally (e.g., along the X direction) with the weight of the block 1300 being supported only by the support pistons 1220). 5-6, the trolley 1200 may have two pairs of support pistons 1220 and two pairs of wheel assemblies 1210, with each support piston 1220 facing one of the wheel assemblies 1210. In another implementation, the support pistons 1220 may be replaced by a platform having a width that generally matches the width of the frame 1230, where the platform may move between a retracted position in which it does not engage the bottom surface of the block 1300, and an extended position in which it contacts the block 1300 and lifts the block 1300 off the beam 1180.

[0034] Once the trolley 1200 has lifted the block 1300 above the beam 1180 (e.g., so that the block 1300 is not in contact with the beam 1180), the trolley 1200 can translate the block 1300 along the row 1140 (e.g., horizontally in the X direction), and can, for example, translate the block 1300 toward the elevator shaft 1130 to transfer the block 1300 to the elevator cage assembly 1400, as described further below.

[0035] The elevator cage assembly 1400 may include an elevator cage 1410 movably coupled to a base 1420 below the elevator cage 1410. The elevator cage 1410 may include a bottom support 1412, a back wall 1414, and a top support 1416. In some implementations, the elevator cage 1410 may also include a sidewall extending between the bottom support 1412 and the top support 1416. As best shown in FIG. 17, the top support 1416 may be shorter in length than the bottom support 1412. As will be further described below, the top support 1416 is coupled to one or more cables or ribbons (e.g., metal ribbons) 1520 at one end of the cables or ribbons 1520 and to a counterweight CW at the other end of the cables or ribbons 1520. In some implementations, the elevator cage 1410 may have a C-shaped cross-section (when viewed from the side, as shown in FIG. 17).

[0036] One or more (e.g., a plurality, four) supports 1430 are movably coupled to the bottom support 1412. In one implementation, one or more supports 1430 are moved simultaneously. Optionally, one or more supports 1430 are hydraulically driven (e.g., driven by a hydraulic actuator) to move between a lower position relative to the bottom support 1412 and a higher position relative to the bottom support. In another implementation, one or more supports 1430 are moved between a lower position relative to the bottom support 1412 and a higher position relative to the bottom support 1412 by a solenoid actuator (e.g., electrically driven). In yet another implementation, one or more supports 1430 are pneumatically driven (e.g., driven by a pneumatic actuator) to move between a lower position relative to the bottom support 1412 and a higher position relative to the bottom support. Preferably, the one or more supports 1430 have a travel distance (e.g., between a collapsed position and an extended position) relative to the bottom support 1412 that is greater than the amount of extension or contraction of the one or more cables or ribbons 1520 (e.g., when the one or more supports 1430 are actuated to apply a lifting force to the block 1300), as described further below, thereby enabling the one or more supports 1430 to lift the block 1300 from the beam 1180. Thus, the supports 1430 have a sufficient travel distance to compensate for the amount of extension or contraction of the cables or ribbons 1520, and therefore, the block 1300 can be lifted from the beam 1180. Preferably, instead of lifting the block 1300 by operating the main motor 1500 (see FIG. 24 or 2500 in FIG. 28), the support(s) 1430 are driven (e.g. hydraulically) to lift the block 1300, thereby lifting the elevator car 1410 by means of the cable(s) or ribbon(s) 1520, so that the main motor 1500 is operated only to move the elevator car 1410 between the rows or floors 1140.

[0037] As explained above, the elevator cage 1410 is movably coupled to a base 1420 below the elevator cage 1410. Such movement is provided by a sliding assembly 1440 that moves the elevator cage 1410 horizontally or laterally relative to the base 1420, allowing the elevator cage 1410 to move in and out of a row or floor 1140 (e.g., as shown in Figs. 10-13). As shown, for example, in Fig. 19, the sliding assembly 1440 includes one or more (e.g., two, multiple) rails 1442 disposed between the base 1420 and the elevator cage 1410 and coupled to the base 1420 and the elevator cage 1410, which allow for relative movement of the base 1420 and the elevator cage 1410. The sliding assembly 1440 also includes a linear actuator 1444 that moves the elevator cage 1410 laterally relative to the base 1420. In one implementation, the linear actuator 1444 is a hydraulically driven piston-cylinder assembly. In another implementation, the linear actuator 1444 is a pneumatically driven piston-cylinder assembly. In yet another implementation, the linear actuator 1444 is an electrically driven assembly (e.g., a piston-cylinder assembly in which the piston is moved by a solenoid actuator). In yet another implementation, the linear actuator 1444 is a rack-and-pinion assembly, where the pinion is rotated (e.g., by an electric actuator) to linearly move the rack.

[0038] In implementations where one or more supports 1430 and linear actuators 1444 of the sliding assembly 1440 are hydraulically driven, the hydraulic system can be rapidly actuated to achieve rapid movement of the one or more supports 1430 and linear actuators 1444. In some implementations, the hydraulic system can include an accumulator, and a pump can be operated (e.g., operated alone) to pressurize a fluid (e.g., a non-compressible liquid such as oil) in the accumulator, such as 130 bar-250 bar. Valves can then be actuated to allow fluid to flow through the hydraulic system to drive one or more supports 1430 (e.g., to lift the block 1300 by extending the supports(s) 1430) or linear actuators 1444 (e.g., to move the elevator cage 1410 laterally relative to the base 1420).

[0039] As shown in Figure 8, the system 1000 includes guide rails GR in the elevator shaft 1130 along which the elevator car assembly 1400 and counterweights CW move (e.g., the base 1420 is movably coupled to one of the guide rails GR and the counterweights CW are movably coupled to the other of the guide rails GR). The guide rails GR are coupled, e.g., for each row or floor 1140, to crossbars CB (see Figure 8), which provide horizontal support to the guide rails GR and, in turn, provide horizontal support to the elevator car 1410 as it moves laterally relative to the base 1420 (e.g., as shown in Figures 10-13).

[0040] 13, as the block 1300 is moved along the elevator shaft 1130 (e.g., between rows or floors 1140), the cables or ribbons 1520 are preferably aligned with the center of gravity of the elevator car assembly 1400 and the block 1300. The cables or ribbons 1520 are also aligned with or centered on the guide rails GR next to the elevator car assembly 1400. This facilitates movement of the block 1300 along the elevator shaft 1130 without placing undue forces (e.g., bending loads) on the guide rails GR. Similarly, when the elevator cage 1410 is empty (e.g., not carrying blocks 1300), the cable or ribbon 1520 is preferably aligned with the center of gravity of the elevator cage assembly 1400 and the guide rail GR adjacent to the elevator cage assembly 1400 to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the elevator cage 1410 from tilting or placing undue forces (e.g., bending loads) on the guide rail GR during movement of the elevator cage assembly 1400 along the elevator shaft 1130. Similarly, the cable or ribbon 1520 is aligned with the center of gravity of the counterweight CW and aligned with or centered on the guide rail GR adjacent to the counterweight CW to facilitate movement of the counterweight CW without placing undue forces on the guide rail GR or moments on the counterweight CW.

[0041] 8-23 illustrate a sequence of motion of the elevator car assembly 1400 to pick up the block 1300 from a row or floor 1140 and transport it to a different row or floor 1140. FIGS. 8-14 show perspective views of a sequence of motion of the elevator car assembly 1400 to pick up the block 1300 from a row or floor 1140 and pull it up along the elevator shaft 1130 to a higher row or floor 1140. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sequence for lowering the block along the elevator shaft 1130 and transporting it to a lower row or floor 1140 is the reverse sequence of that shown in FIGS. 8-14. FIGS. 15-17 show side views of a sequence of motion of the elevator car assembly 1400 to transport the block 1300 onto a beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sequence for picking up the block 1300 from the beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140 is the reverse sequence of that shown in FIGS. 15-17. FIGS. 18-20 show top views of the sequence of movement of the elevator car assembly 1400 for picking up the block 1300 from the beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sequence for transporting the block 1300 onto the beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140 is the reverse sequence of that shown in FIGS. 18-20. FIGS. 21-23 show bottom perspective views of the sequence of movement of the elevator car assembly 1400 for transporting the block 1300 onto the beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sequence for picking up the block 1300 from the beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140 is the reverse sequence of that shown in FIGS. 21-23.

[0042] 8-9 show the trolley 1200 carrying the block 1300 to the end 1180a (e.g., end of a cantilever structure) of the beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140 so that the block 1300 can be picked up by the elevator car assembly 1400. Once over the end 1180a of the beam 1180, the trolley 1200 lowers the block 1300 onto the end 1180a and moves away from the block 1300 (e.g., to pick up another block 1300 from the row or floor 1140) so that the block 1300 remains supported by the end 1180a of the beam 1180, as shown in FIG. 10 and also shown in FIG. 18. The block 1300 can be preferably transported to the end 1180a of the beam 1180 before the elevator car assembly 1400 arrives at the row or floor 1140.

[0043] 10 , the elevator cage assembly 1400 arrives at approximately the height of the row or floor 1140. Preferably, the elevator cage assembly 1400 does not have to be precisely aligned with or flush with the beams 1180 of the row or floor 1140 in order to be able to pick up the block 1300 from or transport it onto the beams 1180 of the row or floor 1140. In addition, the elevator cage assembly 1400 preferably does not need to engage (e.g., fasten) to the beams 1180 of the row or floor 1140 in order to pick up or transport the block 1300 therefrom, thereby simplifying the structure and process for moving the block 1300 using the elevator cage assembly 1400 in the system 100.

[0044] 11-14 illustrate a sequence for picking up a block 1300 from a beam 1180 of a row or floor 1140 and moving the block 1300 to a different vertical position (e.g., a different row or floor 1140) using an elevator cage assembly 1400. In comparison to FIG. 10, FIG. 11 shows the elevator cage 1410 being moved laterally relative to the base 1420 (e.g., by a sliding assembly 1440, specifically, by actuation of a linear actuator 1444) such that a bottom support 1412 of the elevator cage 1410 is positioned below the block 1300. Such movement of the bottom support 1412 below the block 1300 is also shown in FIGS. 18-20 and 21-23. Because the width of the elevator cage 1410 (e.g., bottom support 1412) is narrower than the spacing D between the beams 1180 (see FIG. 20 ), the elevator cage 1410 can move (unhindered) relative to the ends 1180a of the beams 1180 to position the bottom support 1412 below the block 1300. While the elevator cage 1410 moves laterally towards the block 1300, the guide rails GR support (e.g., laterally) the base 1420 of the elevator cage assembly 1400.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 12, one or more supports 1430 are actuated (e.g., extended, such as by hydraulic actuation) such that block 1300 is lifted off beam 1180 (e.g., from end 1180a of beam 1180). In comparison to Fig. 12, Fig. 13 shows elevator car 1410 retracted above base 1420 such that block 1300 is within elevator shaft 1130 and out of row or floor 1140. Elevator car assembly 1400 is then operated (e.g., by motors 1500 (see Fig. 24, or 2500 in Fig. 28) moving cables or ribbons 1520) to vertically move block 1300 to a different row or floor 1140, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0046] 15-17 illustrate a sequence for transporting a block 1300 to a row or floor 1140 and lowering the block 1300 onto a beam 1180 of the row or floor 1140 using an elevator cage assembly 1400. Once the block 1300 has been moved by the elevator cage assembly 1400 along the elevator shaft 1130 to the desired row or floor 1140, the elevator cage 1410 is moved laterally relative to the base 1420 (e.g., by a sliding assembly 1440, specifically by actuation of a linear actuator 1444 which extends the elevator cage 1410 relative to the base 1420) such that a bottom support 1412 of the elevator cage 1410, and the block 1300 supported thereon, is moved above the beam 1180 (e.g., above an end 1180a of the beam 1180), as shown in FIG. One or more supports 1430 are actuated (e.g., retracted and lowered, such as by hydraulic actuation) to lower block 1300 onto beam 1180 (e.g., onto end 1180a of beam 1180), and elevator cage 1410 begins to retract (e.g., by sliding assembly 1440, and in particular by actuation of linear actuator 1444 which retracts elevator cage 1410 relative to base 1420) to a position above base 1420, as shown in Figure 16. Elevator cage 1410 is moved into position above base 1420 (as shown in Figure 17), after which elevator cage assembly 1400 can be operated to move to a different row or floor 1140 (e.g., to pick up block 1300).

[0047] Preferably, the movement of the elevator cage 1410 to pick up, lift, and lower the block 1300 may be fast. In one implementation, when the elevator cage 1410 is empty (e.g., not carrying a block 1300), it can be moved from a home position above the base 1420 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10 ) to a position below the block 1300 (see FIG. 11 ), or from a position below the block 1300 to a home position above the base 1420 in about 1-1.5 seconds. In one implementation, the one or more supports 1430 can lift the block 1300 off the beam 1180 or lower the block 1300 to the beam 1180 in about 3 seconds. In one implementation, the elevator cage 1410 can be moved from a home position above the base 1420 to a position above the beam 1180 (see FIG. 15) or from a position above the beam 1180 to a home position above the base 1420 in about 2 seconds while carrying the block 1300. Preferably, the elevator cage 1410 moves the suspended load between a position above the beam 1180 (see FIG. 12) and a position in the elevator shaft 1130 (see FIG. 13), so that the movement of the elevator cage 1410 relative to the base 1420 can be performed with minimal friction or losses. In addition, the system 1000 preferably does not require coordination of the movement of the block 1300 by the trolley 1200 and the elevator cage assembly 1400. As described above, the trolley 1200 can be operated to move the block 1300 to the end 1180a of the beam 1180 and the elevator car assembly 1400 can later arrive and pick up the block 1300.

[0048] 24-25 show schematic diagrams of a lift drive system D for moving the elevator car assemblies 1400. In one implementation, each elevator car assembly 1400 is driven by a separate lift drive system D. In another implementation, the lift drive system D can operate two elevator car assemblies 1400 in separate (e.g., adjacent) elevator shafts 1130 (such as lift drive system 2000 in Figs. 28-30, described further below). The lift drive system D can be located at the top of the tower 1100 of the system, such as above the elevator shaft 1130. The lift drive system D can include a motor-generator 1500 that drives (e.g., rotates) the shaft 1510. A cable or ribbon (e.g., steel strip) 1520 runs from one end attached to the elevator car assembly 1400, around the shaft 1510, and to the other end of the cable or ribbon 1520 attached to the counterweight CW. As shown in Figures 24-25, the cable or ribbon 1520 may extend at least partially around a roller R1 positioned vertically above the elevator car assembly 1400 and may extend at least partially around a roller R2 positioned vertically above the counterweight CW.

[0049] In one implementation of the lift drive system D, the motor-generator 1500 can either lower the elevator car assembly 1400 (along the elevator shaft 1130, specifically to the desired row or floor 1140) and raise the counterweight CW by rotating the shaft 1510 in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIG. 24), or can raise the elevator car assembly 1400 (along the elevator shaft 1130, specifically to the desired row or floor 1140) and lower the counterweight CW by rotating the shaft 1510 in a clockwise direction (as shown in FIG. 24). The rollers R1, R2 maintain the cable or ribbon 1520 in a vertical orientation as the elevator car assembly 1400 and counterweight CW move along the elevator shaft 1130. This preferably inhibits (e.g., prevents) the cable or ribbon 1520 from exerting a tilting force or moment on the elevator car assembly 1400 and counterweight CW. This tilting force or moment, which can rock the elevator cage assembly 1400 and counterweight CW or apply forces to the guide rails GR during movement along the elevator shaft 1130, can be reduced (e.g., prevented) to improve efficiency and reduce energy losses (e.g., due to friction) during raising and lowering the elevator cage assembly 1400 and counterweight CW.

[0050] 25, in one implementation, the vertical upper rollers R1 of the elevator car assembly 1400 are in a fixed position. When the elevator car 1410 moves laterally relative to the base 1420 (as described above in connection with FIGS. 8-23), for example to pick up or transport a block 1300 from or to a row or floor 1140, the cables or ribbons 1520 move from the vertical to an angle (at an angle α) relative to the vertical (e.g., because the cables or ribbons 1520 are coupled to the elevator car 1410). Each such displacement of the cables or ribbons 1520 can cause a tilting force or moment to be exerted by the elevator car assembly 1400 on the guide rails GR. In one implementation, when the elevator cage assembly 1400 is in a lower position in the tower 1100 (e.g., row groups L1-L8 in FIG. 31 ), such angle and force applied to the guide rail GR may be relatively small, but such angle (α) and force applied to the guide rail GR may increase as the elevator cage assembly 1400 is raised (e.g., row groups U1-U8 in FIG. 31 ), with the angle (α) and force being greatest at the top row of the tower 1100.

[0051] Figure 26 illustrates a lift drive system D' that is similar to lift drive system D in Figure 24. Thus, it will be understood that the reference numbers used to indicate the various components of lift drive system D' are the same as the reference numbers used to indicate the corresponding components of lift drive system D in Figure 24, and the construction and description of the various features of lift drive system D in Figure 24 also apply to the corresponding features of lift drive system D' in Figure 26, except as noted below.

[0052] Lift drive system D' of FIG. 26 differs from lift drive system D of FIG. 24 in that rollers R1 disposed vertically above elevator car assembly 1400 have variable positions that enable cables or ribbons 1520 to remain substantially vertical when elevator car 1410 moves laterally relative to base 1420 (as described above in connection with FIGS. 8-23), for example to pick up or transport block 1300 from or to row or floor 1140. Advantageously, this inhibits (e.g., prevents) cables or ribbons 1520 from exerting a tilting force or moment on elevator car assembly 1400, which would otherwise exert a force on guide rails GR, thereby lowering loads or stresses on guide rails GR while elevator car assembly 1400 is operating to pick up or transport block 1300.

[0053] In one implementation, the roller R1 may be movably coupled to a sliding mechanism, where an actuator (e.g., a linear actuator, specifically a hydraulic actuator) may move the roller R1 (horizontally as shown in FIG. 26 ), specifically, simultaneously with the movement of the elevator cage 1410 relative to the base 1420, thereby maintaining the cable or ribbon 1520 substantially vertical between the elevator cage 1410 and the roller R1 as the elevator cage 1410 moves relative to the base 1420 of the elevator cage assembly 1400. Optionally, the same controller that controls the movement of the elevator cage 1410 relative to the base 1420 also controls the movement of the roller R1. In one implementation, the roller R1 is driven to move laterally with (e.g., simultaneously with) the movement of the elevator cage 1410 relative to the base 1420 of the elevator cage assembly 1400, regardless of the row or floor 1140 on which the elevator cage assembly 1400 resides during such movement. In another implementation, for some but not all rows or floors 1140 of the tower 1100, the controller may drive the rollers R1 to move laterally with (e.g., simultaneously) the movement of the elevator car 1410 relative to the base 1420 of the elevator car assembly 1400. For example, when the elevator car assembly is on a lower floor of the tower 1100 (e.g., row group L1-L8 in FIG. 31 ), the controller may maintain the rollers R1 in a fixed position during the movement of the elevator car 1410 relative to the base 1420, while when the elevator car assembly is on a higher floor of the tower 1100 (e.g., row groups U1-U3, U1-U5, U1-U8 in FIG. 31 ), the controller may move the rollers R1 laterally with (e.g., simultaneously) the movement of the elevator car 1410 relative to the base 1420 (e.g., because in such a case, the angle α between the cable or ribbon 1520 and the vertical and the force applied to the guide rail GR, shown in FIG. 25 , may be large).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 1, the tower 1100 may have multiple modules in the depth or Y direction, each having multiple rows or floors 1140 with elevator shafts 1130 at either end of the row or floor 1140, and the elevator car assembly 1400 may move in each elevator shaft 1130. Referring to Fig. 27, a motor-generator 1500' may be positioned above another elevator shaft 1130 (e.g., toward the bottom of the page in Fig. 27) and operate in the same manner as the motor-generator 1500 to move its associated elevator car assembly 1400 along its elevator shaft 1130 and pick up, lift or lower, and transport blocks 1300 (e.g., in a different module in the depth or Y direction of the tower 1100 in Fig. 1) to the row or floor 1140 associated with that elevator shaft 1130. The motor-generators 1500, 1500' and their associated shafts 1510, 1510' may be, for example, laterally offset (as shown in FIG. 27), thereby allowing the lift drive system D to fit above the elevator shaft 1130 (e.g., without interfering with each other). The cables or ribbons 1520 moved by the motor-generators 1500' and attached to the respective elevator car assemblies 1400 and counterweights CW may extend at least partially around their associated rollers R1, R2, which may be oriented directly opposite the rollers R1, R2 associated with the motor-generators 1500 (in the depth direction of FIG. 27, i.e., in the Y direction of FIG. 1). In one implementation, the rollers R1, R2 may be oriented in the depth direction (e.g., in the Y direction in FIG. 1 ) such that the cable or ribbon 1520 is oriented in the depth direction between the rollers R1, R2 and their corresponding elevator cage assembly 1400 and counterweight CW, the elevator cage assembly 1400 is oriented (e.g., in the depth direction), and the counterweight CW is oriented (in the depth direction).

[0055] FIG 28 shows a portion of a lift drive system 2000 for use in the tower 1100 of the system 1000 of FIG 1. The system 2000 includes an electric motor 2100 (e.g., similar to the motor-generator 1500) having an output shaft 2110 attached to a clutch 2200. A shaft 2300 is coupled to an opposite end of the clutch 2200 such that the clutch 2200 is between the motor 2100 and the shaft 2300. The shaft 2300 has a first portion 2310 and a second portion 2320. A brake assembly 2400 is at least partially disposed on the shaft 2300 between the first portion 2310 and the second portion 2320. The brake assembly 2400 includes a brake disc 2410 mounted about the shaft 2300 between the first portion 2310 and the second portion 2320, and a brake pad mechanism 2420 disposed on either side of the disc 2410 and operable to selectively engage the disc 2410 to frictionally engage with the disc 2410 to inhibit (e.g., prevent) rotation of the disc 2410, thereby blocking rotation of the shaft 2300, and selectively disengage from the disc 2410 to allow rotation of the disc 2410, thereby allowing unimpeded rotation of the shaft 2300. An end 2330 of the shaft 2300 may be coupled to an electric motor 2500 (e.g., a motor-generator), as described further below. In one implementation, the electric motor 2500 may be a 50 kW electric motor or an asynchronous motor. In one implementation, the electric motor 2100 may be an 800 kW-1000 kW electric motor or a synchronous motor. Details of the lift drive system 2000 are described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 203070, filed July 7, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] FIG. 29 shows an implementation of the lift drive system 2000, and FIG. 30 shows the lift drive system 2000 of FIG. 29 at the top of the tower or frame 1100 above two adjacent elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B (e.g., in the Y direction, or depth direction, of the tower 1100 as shown in FIG. 1). As explained above in connection with FIG. 27, the lift drive system 2000 for two other adjacent elevator shafts (e.g., adjacent to the left side of elevator shaft 1130A or adjacent to the right side of elevator shaft 1130B) may be laterally offset from the axis of the lift drive system 2000 shown in FIG. 30 (e.g., into or out of the page in FIG. 30).

[0057] 29, the electric motor 2100 has two output shafts (not shown) coupled to two clutches 2200A, 2200B at either end of the electric motor 2100, which are coupled to shafts 2300A, 2300B having first shaft portions 2310A, 2310B and second shaft portions 2320A, 2320B, with brake assemblies 2400A, 2400B disposed between the first shaft portions 2310A, 2310B and second shaft portions 2320A, 2320B. The shafts 2300A, 2300B have ends 2330A, 2330B. Although not shown, an electric motor (e.g., a motor-generator) similar to the electric motor 2500 may be operatively coupled to each of the ends 2330A, 2330B.

[0058] 30, a cable or ribbon (e.g., steel strap) 1520A may extend at least partially around the first portion 2310A and the second portion 2320A and may be operatively coupled to an elevator cage assembly 1400A (e.g., similar to the elevator cage assembly 1400 described above) that travels within an elevator shaft 1130A of the frame or tower 1100. A cable or ribbon (e.g., steel strap) 1520B may extend at least partially around the first portion 2310B and the second portion 2320B and may be operatively coupled to an elevator cage assembly 1400B (e.g., similar to the elevator cage assembly 1400 described above) that travels within an elevator shaft 1130B of the frame or tower 1100. Although not shown, the portions of the cables or ribbons 1520A, 1520B that run on the first shaft sections 2310A, 2310B and the second shaft sections 2320A, 2320B connect to the counterweights similar to how they connect to the counterweights CW in Figures 1 and 8-23. Although Figure 30 shows the lift drive system 2000 located at the top of the tower 1100, in another implementation, the lift drive system could be located at the bottom of the tower 1100 with the cables or steel straps running up from there and over pulleys to direct the cables or ribbons towards the elevator car assembly and / or counterweights.

[0059] 29-30, in operation, the electric motor 2100 can be connected to the power grid and can be operated at all times on the power grid. The shaft 2110 of the electric motor 2100 rotates in only one direction. FIG. 30 shows the elevator car assembly 1400B at a lower position of the tower 1100 and the elevator car assembly 1400A at a higher position of the tower 1100. The elevator car assembly 1400B is maintained at the lower position by releasing the clutch 2200B from the electric motor 2100 and by engaging the brake 2400B to maintain the elevator car assembly 1400B in a vertical position (e.g. to pick up the block 1300 and move it to a higher position). Once the elevator car assembly 1400B is ready to be raised, the clutch 2200B is gradually engaged and the brake 2400B is gradually released until the clutch 2200B is fully engaged (e.g., disengaged), and rotation of the shaft 2110 of the electric motor 2100 causes the shaft 2300B to rotate and the elevator car assembly 1400B to be raised (e.g., by raising the cable or ribbon 1520B and placing it over the first and second portions 2310B, 2320B). As the elevator car assembly 1400B is raised, a counterweight (not shown) operably coupled to the opposite side of the cable or ribbon 1520B is lowered. Once elevator cage assembly 1400B has reached the desired higher position in tower 1100, clutch 2200B is released and brake 2400B is engaged, allowing elevator cage assembly 1400B to lower block 1300 onto beam 1180 of row or floor 1140 (as described above). Once elevator cage assembly 1400B is empty (and elevator cage 1410 is in position above base 1420) and ready to be lowered, it may be lowered in a similar manner as described below for lowering elevator cage assembly 1400A.

[0060] 30, elevator cage assembly 1400B is ready to be lifted, while elevator cage assembly 1400A is in a higher position ready to be lowered, in which clutch 2200A is released and brake 2400A is engaged, thereby allowing elevator cage assembly 1400A to lower block 1300 onto beam 1180 of row or floor 1140 (as described above). Once elevator cage assembly 1400A is empty (and elevator cage 1410 is in position above base 1420), brake 2400A is released, clutch 2200A remains released, and electric motor 2100 attached to end 2330A of shaft 2300A rotates shaft 2300A in the opposite direction, thereby rapidly lowering elevator cage assembly 1400A to a lower position and picking up another block 1300. Motor 2100 may optionally be operated with a variable frequency drive to precisely position elevator car assembly 1400A as it is lowered. Once elevator car assembly 1400A has picked up block 1300 and is ready to be raised, it may be raised in a manner similar to that described above for raising elevator car assembly 1400B.

[0061] In the above-mentioned method, one of the clutches 2200A, 2200B is always engaged and the other of the clutches 2200B, 2200A is always disengaged, so that when one of the elevator car assemblies 1400A, 1400B is being raised, the other of the elevator car assemblies 1400B, 1400A is being lowered. Thus, power continuity is achieved by disengaging one clutch (e.g. once the block 1300 is raised, the elevator car assembly is ready to be lowered) and engaging another clutch (e.g. once the block 1300 is loaded onto the elevator car assembly, it is ready to be raised). Preferably, the electric motor 2100 always runs on power from the power grid and does not utilize a gearbox or power electronics, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of the lift drive system 2000. In addition, although the electric motor 2100 always runs on power from the power grid, the electricity cost is relatively small when not lifting a load.

[0062] A modification of the above process for lowering the elevator car assembly 1400A is used to generate and supply electricity (e.g., based on the energy or kinetic energy of the block 1300 being lowered) by lowering the block 1300 from a higher position to a lower position of the tower 1100. The asynchronous motor 2500 is opened and the brake 2400A is released, allowing the motor 2500 to rotate in the opposite direction and the electricity generated can be transferred to the power grid. Once the elevator car assembly 1400A reaches the lower position, the brake 2400A is engaged. The block 1300 can then be moved to a row or floor 1140 as described above and the elevator car assembly 1400A is raised to pick up another block 1300. The same approach can be used to generate electricity using the elevator car assembly 1400B when it is in a higher position, carrying a block 1300 and ready to be lowered.

[0063] 31 is a schematic end view of the energy storage and delivery system or module 1000 illustrating the placement of the blocks 1300 in the frame or tower 1100 and the movement of the blocks 1300 between the rows 1140 in the upper portion 1102 and the lower portion 1104 of the frame or tower 1100 to store energy and generate power. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the process described below can be implemented in the energy storage system 1000' of FIG. 3 and the energy storage system 1000'' of FIG. 4, and therefore the description below also applies to the systems 1000', 1000'' in FIG. 3-FIG. 4. For example, ballast weights or blocks 1300 are moved from a row or floor 1140 in the upper portion 1102 to a corresponding row or floor 1140 in the lower portion 1104 to generate electricity (e.g., by motor-generator 1500 in FIG. 24 or 2500 in FIG. 28) for transmission to a power grid or for use by the middle portion 1106 (e.g., to power a data center or to provide light for vertical farming). By being moved from a row or floor 1140 in the lower portion 1104 to a corresponding row or floor 1140 in the upper portion 1102, the ballast weights or blocks 1300 store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks 1300.

[0064] Ballast weights or blocks 1300 may be placed in rows 1140 (e.g., rows U1-U8) in the upper portion 1102 of the tower or frame 1100. The blocks 1300 in each row 1140 in the upper portion 1102 may be moved horizontally (in the X direction) into the elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B by the trolleys 1200 in each row U1-U8 so as to be lowered vertically (in the Z direction) by its associated elevator car assembly 1400 to a corresponding row 1140 (e.g., rows L1-L8) in the lower portion 1104. The blocks 1300 transported to rows L1 to L8 are moved horizontally by the trolleys 1200 in each of the rows L1-L8. Block 1300 may be lowered by elevator cage assembly 1400 through elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B at the ends of rows 1140, for example, by the sequence of movements described above in connection with FIGS. 8-23. Elevator cage assembly 1400 and fixed elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B at the ends of rows 1140 provide efficient, rapid, and guided movement of block 1300 between upper portion 1102 and lower portion 1104. During operation of energy storage and supply system 1000, movement of elevator cage assembly 1400 in right elevator shaft 1130A alternates with movement of elevator cage 1400 in left elevator shaft 1130B, as described below. Although the system 1000 in FIG. 31 shows eight rows U1-U8 in the upper portion 1102 and eight rows L1-L8 in the lower portion 1104 supporting the blocks 1300, one skilled in the art will understand that the number of row groups 1140 may vary and that the same processes described herein for moving the blocks 1300 from the rows 1140 in the upper portion 1102 to corresponding rows 1140 in the lower portion 1104 and the methods for distributing the blocks 1300 can be applied regardless of the total number of row groups 1140 in the upper portion 1102 and lower portion 1104.

[0065] 31, any block 1300 that is removed from a row 1140 in the upper portion 1102 is preferably replaced by another block 1300 in the lower portion 1104 such that the average foundation load and / or average distribution of load on the ground (e.g., foundation) of the frame or tower 1100 remains substantially constant (e.g., constant). In one implementation, any block that is removed from a row 1140 in the upper portion 1102 is preferably replaced by another block 1300 in the row 1140 of the lower portion 1104 at the same column 1120 location such that the load remains the same in that column 1120. For example, if the upper portion 1102 has eight rows U1-U8 that are filled with blocks 1300 and the lower portion 1104 has eight rows L1-L8 where blocks 1300 can be moved from the upper portion 1102, there will be eight block groups 1300 in any one column 1120. During operation of the system 1000, each column 1120 maintains the same number of blocks 1300 (e.g., eight blocks), preferably maintaining the frame or tower 1100 under a balanced load (e.g., all columns 1120 maintain substantially the same load). Thus, because the load of the frame or tower 1100 against the foundation (or ground) does not change during operation of the system 1000, the foundation is preferably not stressed (e.g., periodically) or experiences differential settlement due to movement of the blocks 1300 between the rows or floors 1140 at the upper portion 1102 and the rows or floors 1140 at the lower portion 1104.

[0066] 31 , to generate power, blocks 1300 in row U1 in the upper portion 1102 may be lowered to row L1 in the lower portion 1104. Similarly, blocks 1300 in row U2 may be lowered to row L2, blocks 1300 in row U3 may be lowered to row L3, blocks 1300 in row U4 may be lowered to row L4, blocks 1300 in row U5 may be lowered to row L5, blocks 1300 in row U6 may be lowered to row L6, blocks 1300 in row U7 may be lowered to row L7, and blocks 1300 in row U8 may be lowered to row L8. Blocks in any row 1140 in the upper portion 1102 move the same vertical distance to the corresponding row 1140 in the lower portion 1104 so that each block 1300 has the same vertical rise. 31, blocks 1300 in a subset of rows 1140 (e.g., rows U1, U3, U5, and U7) are lowered by one elevator shaft 1130A, and blocks 1300 in the remaining rows 1140 (e.g., rows U2, U4, U6, and U8) are lowered by the other elevator shaft 1130B. As mentioned above, the middle section 1106 is left free of blocks and may be used for other purposes.

[0067] Blocks 1300 may be moved simultaneously between upper portion 1102 and lower portion 1104 by elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B. For example, block 1300 may be lowered by elevator shaft 1130A from row U1 to row L1 and transferred to trolley 1200 (e.g., in a reverse sequence from that described above with respect to FIGS. 8-14), thereby moving block 1300 horizontally from its position on row U1 to the opposite end of row L1. Substantially simultaneously, block 1300 may be lowered by elevator shaft 1130B from row U2 to row L2 and transferred to trolley 1200 (e.g., in a reverse sequence from that described above with respect to FIGS. 8-14), thereby moving block 1300 horizontally from its position on row U2 to the opposite end of row L2. As mentioned above, this preferably maintains the average foundation load and / or average distribution of load of the frame or tower 1100 relative to the ground (eg, foundation) substantially constant.

[0068] Preferably, the elevator cage assembly 1400 moves quickly between rows U1-U8 in the upper portion 1102 and rows L1-L8 in the lower portion 1104 of the frame or tower 1100 (e.g., because the cost of power used to move the blocks 1300 decreases with the speed at which the blocks 1300 are moved by the elevator cage assembly 1400). Because the elevator cage assembly 1400 moves much faster than the trolleys 1200, in one implementation, the elevator cage assembly 1400 does not return to the same row 1140 in the upper portion 1102 until the elevator cage assembly 1400 has moved the blocks 1300 from the remaining rows 1140 in the upper portion 1102 that serve the associated elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B to their corresponding rows 1140 in the lower portion 1104.

[0069] 32A-32D illustrate the process of generating electricity by moving blocks 1300 from the upper portion 1102 to the lower portion 1104 by elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B (e.g., using elevator cage assembly 1400). As shown in FIG. 32B, block A1 is moved from one end of row U1 to row L1 and moved to the opposite end of row L1 by elevator shaft 1130A. Similarly, block B1 is moved from one end of row U2 to row L2 and moved to the opposite end of row L2 by elevator shaft 1130B. Once block A1 has been transported to row L1, as described above, the elevator cage in elevator shaft 1130A returns to the next row U3 in the upper portion 1102 and moves block C1 to its corresponding row L3 in the lower portion 1104 by elevator shaft 1130A and moves block C1 to the opposite end of row L3. Similarly, once block B1 has been transported to row L2, as described above, the elevator car in elevator shaft 1130B returns to the next row U4 in the upper portion 1102 and moves block D1 by elevator shaft 1130B to its corresponding row L4 in the lower portion 1104, moving block D1 to the opposite end of row L4. This process can continue in this manner for the remaining rows in the upper portion 1102 (e.g., for rows U5-U8 in FIG. 31). Continuing to refer to FIG. 32B, once the blocks 1300 are lowered from their respective rows (e.g., U1-U4) in the upper portion 1102 to their corresponding rows (e.g., L1-L4) in the lower portion 1104, the elevator cars 1400 in each elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B again perform the same steps as described above to move the next blocks (e.g., A2-D2) in the rows (U1-U4) in the upper portion 1102 to their corresponding rows (L1-L4) in the lower portion, as shown in FIG. 32C.Similarly, once the second block 1300 has been lowered from its respective row (e.g., U1-U4) in the upper portion 1102 to its corresponding row (e.g., L1-L4) in the lower portion 1104, the elevator cars 1400 in each elevator shaft 1130A, 1130B again perform the same steps as described above to move the next blocks (e.g., A3-D3) in the rows (U1-U4) in the upper portion 1102 to their corresponding rows (L1-L4) in the lower portion, as shown in FIG. 32D. Since the elevator car assembly 1400 moves vertically along the elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B much faster than the trolley(s) 1200 move horizontally along the rows 1140 (e.g. U1-U4 and / or L1-L4), the above sequence preferably allows the trolley 1200 sufficient time to pick up another block 1300 by moving along the row 1140 and move it closer to the elevator shafts 1130A, 1130B by the time the elevator car assembly 1400 moves to the same row, thereby allowing the system 1000 to operate efficiently. The above process preferably allows the load (e.g. average load) on the foundation and / or the load distribution (e.g. average load) of the frame or tower 1100 on the ground (e.g. foundation) to remain substantially constant.

[0070] Block 1300 may optionally weigh between about 20 tons and about 50 tons, and more specifically, about 30 tons (e.g., 30 metric tons), although in other examples, block 1300 may weigh any other suitable amount.

[0071] The block 1300 may, for example, include a ballast mass (e.g., a load-bearing fill material) enclosed in a shell. In one example, the ballast mass is of a different material than the material of the shell. For example, the ballast mass or load-bearing fill material may be soil, coal, fly ash, rubble, demolition waste, gravel, construction waste, and / or recycled materials mixed and / or compacted with low-quality or cheap concrete, as described below. This advantageously reduces the cost of manufacturing the block 1300 and provides a mechanism for distributing materials (e.g., demolition waste, construction waste, rubble, etc.) that would otherwise be sent to waste landfills. In another example, the ballast mass and the shell are of the same material (e.g., define a monolithic or unitary material without boundaries or seams). Advantageously, the block 1300 may be manufactured using materials available near the location of the system 1000, 1000', 1000''. Optionally, block 1300 may be reinforced (eg, with steel), such as with one or more reinforcing layers of steel mesh or rebar (eg, structural steel).

[0072] Block 1300 may optionally be made at least in part of concrete (e.g., the shell of block 1300 may be made of concrete). Advantageously, concrete has a higher density than water, so that a volume of block 1300 may store more potential energy than a corresponding volume of water. In some examples, at least a portion of block 1300 may be made of low-quality concrete (e.g., having a compressive strength lower than 10 MPa, such as 3-8 MPa).

[0073] The energy storage and supply system 1000, 1000', 1000'' is operable to convert electrical energy or electricity into potential energy for storage by lifting (e.g., vertically lifting) the blocks 1300 from a lower position to a higher position, and convert potential energy into electrical energy or electricity by moving (e.g., vertically moving, lowering) one or more blocks 1300 from a higher position to a lower position by gravity. The motor-generator 1500 (see FIG. 24 or 2500 in FIG. 28) may be operable to lift (e.g., vertically lift) one or more blocks 1300 from a lower position to place the blocks 1300 in a higher position by operating the elevator car assembly 1400. Each of the blocks 1300 in a higher position stores an amount of potential energy corresponding to (e.g., proportional to) the mass of the block 1300 and the height difference between the lower and higher positions (e.g., potential energy = mass x gravity x (height above a reference surface, such as the ground)). The heavier the blocks 1300 and the higher they are raised, the more potential energy can be stored.

[0074] To convert the stored potential energy into electricity, the elevator car assembly 1400 can generate electricity by moving one or more blocks 1300 from a higher position to a lower position (e.g., lowering at least partially vertically under gravity) to drive the motor-generators 1500 of FIG. 24 (or 2500 of FIG. 28) by one or more cables or steel straps, which electricity can be supplied to a power grid to which the motor-generators 1500 (or 2500 of FIG. 28) are electrically connected. Each time a block 1300 is lowered, work is generated in the form of electricity.

[0075] Preferably, the energy storage and supply system 1000, 1000', 1000'' may, for example, store electricity generated from solar energy as potential energy in raised blocks 1300 during the daytime when solar energy is available, and may convert the potential energy in blocks 1300 into electricity by lowering one or more blocks 1300 during the nighttime when solar energy is not available, and may supply the converted electricity to the electric grid.

[0076] Described herein are examples of energy storage and delivery systems (e.g., energy storage and delivery systems 1000, 1000', 1000'') operable to convert electrical energy, i.e., electricity, into potential energy for storage, and to convert potential energy into electrical energy, i.e., electricity, for delivery to an electrical grid, for example. Preferably, the energy storage system requires little maintenance and can operate for decades (e.g., 30-50 years) without substantial degradation of its energy storage capacity.

[0077] In some implementations, the energy storage systems described herein may store about 10 megawatt-hours or more (e.g., 10 megawatt-hours-100 MWh, specifically, 15 MWh, 20 MWh, 30 MWh, 50 MWh, 80 MWh, 90 MWh) of energy and may supply about 10 MWh or more (e.g., 10 MWh-100 MWh, specifically, 15 MWh, 20 MWh, 30 MWh, 50 MWh, 80 MWh, 90 MWh) of energy to a power grid. The energy storage systems described herein may supply energy (e.g., 1 megawatt to 6 megawatts or more) per hour. However, in other implementations, the energy storage and supply systems described herein may have other suitable energy storage and supply capabilities (e.g., 1 MWh, 3 MWh, 5 MWh, etc.). In some implementations, the energy storage and supply system may optionally supply power to about 1000 homes or more for a day.

[0078] The energy storage and supply system described herein may suitably be connected to a renewable energy (e.g., green energy) power generation system, such as, for example, a solar energy system, a wind energy system (e.g., a wind turbine), and the like. Suitably, during operation of the renewable energy power generation system (e.g., operation of the solar energy system during daytime, operation of the wind energy system during windy conditions), the energy storage and supply system captures electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation system. The energy storage and supply system may later supply the stored electricity to the power grid when the renewable energy power generation system is inoperable (e.g., at night, during no wind conditions). Thus, the energy storage and supply system may act like a battery for the renewable energy power generation system and supply electricity from the renewable energy power generation system to the power grid during off-hours.

[0079] In the above implementations, the energy storage and supply system 1000, 1000', 1000'' stores electrical energy as potential energy by lifting the block 1300 and generates electricity by lowering the block 1300. In one implementation, the elevator car assembly 1400 may be operated with surplus power from the power grid. For each unit of energy used to lift the block 1300, the amount of energy recovered by the energy storage system 1000, 1000', 1000'' may optionally be 80%-90%.

[0080] [Additional embodiments] In embodiments of the present invention, the energy storage system, the method of operating said system, and the elevator car assembly used in said system may comply with any of the following clauses.

[0081] Clause 1: An energy storage and supply system, said system comprising: one or more modules, each of the one or more modules comprising: A plurality of blocks; A frame having a vertical height from a base defined by a plurality of horizontally extending rows, said frame comprising: a top having the first set of rows, each of the first set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; a lower portion having a second set of rows, each of the second set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; an intermediate section between the upper and lower sections that is free of blocks; a pair of elevator shafts disposed at opposite ends of the plurality of rows; an elevator car assembly movably disposed in each of the pair of elevator shafts and operably coupled to a motor-generator, the elevator car assembly being sized to receive and support one or more blocks therein; A frame, one or more modules comprising Equipped with the elevator car assemblies in each of the pair of elevator shafts are operable to store an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of one or more blocks by moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows; the elevator car assembly in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to generate power by moving, under gravity, one or more blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows; the elevator car assembly moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows. system.

[0082] Clause 2: The intermediate section is configured to accommodate one or more vertical farming units. 2. A system as described in clause 1.

[0083] Clause 3: The elevator car assembly in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to move the blocks between the first set of rows and the second set of rows such that an average distribution of loads on the module foundations remains substantially constant. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0084] Clause 4: The frame includes a plurality of columns defined by one or more pillars supporting beams thereon; each pair of beams defines a row in the first set of rows and a row in the second set of rows extending perpendicular to the column; the beam is configured to support the blocks on its upper surface; each of said beams having a longitudinal groove below said upper surface; 10. A system according to any one of clauses 1-3.

[0085] Clause 5: further comprising a plurality of cross members extending between said columns and providing diagonal braces therein along the length of said rows; 4. A system as described in clause 4.

[0086] Clause 6: each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows includes a trolley movably coupled between the pair of beams defining the row; the trolley is configured to extend between the grooves of the pair of beams defining the row and is configured to travel under the blocks disposed on the pair of beams defining the row; the trolley is operable to lift a block onto the pair of beams and move the block horizontally along the row. 4. A system as described in clause 4.

[0087] Clause 7: The trolley is a wheel assembly extending into the grooves of the pair of beams; a frame extending between the pair of beams; a support piston operable to lift the block onto the pair of beams for horizontal movement of the block along the row and to lower the block onto the pair of beams to fix the position of the block on the row; 6. A system as described in clause 6.

[0088] Clause 8: The elevator car assembly comprises an elevator car movably coupled to a base, the elevator car being configured to move laterally relative to the base to facilitate positioning a bottom support of the elevator car under a block for picking up the block. 6. A system as described in clause 6.

[0089] Clause 9: The elevator car picks up the block from the row by driving one or more support members movably coupled to the bottom support of the elevator car to lift the block from the pair of beams of the row. 8. A system as described in clause 8.

[0090] Clause 10: The elevator car assembly comprises a sliding mechanism disposed between the base and the elevator car, the sliding mechanism including a linear actuator drivable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base of the elevator car assembly. 8. A system as described in clause 8.

[0091] Clause 11: The one or more modules are four modules arranged in a square in plan such that the rows of each module run perpendicular to the rows of an adjacent module, thereby providing the four modules with automatic bracing against wind and seismic forces. 11. A system according to any one of clauses 1-10.

[0092] Clause 12: The one or more modules are two modules arranged in a row such that the rows of each module are substantially opposite each other. 2. A system according to any one of clauses 1-11.

[0093] Article 13: An energy storage and supply system, said system comprising: A plurality of blocks; A frame having a vertical height from a base defined by a plurality of horizontally extending rows, said frame comprising: a top having a first set of rows, each of the first set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; a lower portion having a second set of rows, each of the second set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; an intermediate section between the upper and lower sections that is free of blocks; a pair of elevator shafts disposed at opposite ends of the rows; A frame, a trolley movably coupled to each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows, the trolley is operable to travel beneath the blocks in the row and is configured to lift the blocks for horizontal movement along the row. Trolley and an elevator car assembly movably disposed in each of the pair of elevator shafts and operatively coupled to a motor-generator, the elevator car assembly comprising: a locking mechanism for locking and supporting the block therein during movement along the elevator shaft; the elevator car assembly includes an elevator car movably coupled to a base by a sliding mechanism; the sliding mechanism comprising a linear actuator selectively actuable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base of the elevator car assembly. an elevator car assembly; Equipped with the elevator car assemblies in each of the pair of elevator shafts are operable to store an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of the blocks by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows; the elevator car assembly in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to generate power by moving one or more of the blocks under gravity from alternating rows of a first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of a second set of rows; the elevator car assembly moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows. system.

[0094] Clause 14: The intermediate section is configured to accommodate one or more vertical farming units. 13. A system as described in clause 13.

[0095] Clause 15: The elevator cars in each of the pair of elevator shafts are operable to move the blocks between the first set of rows and the second set of rows such that an average distribution of load of the modules on the foundations remains substantially constant. 15. A system according to any one of clauses 13-14.

[0096] Clause 16. Each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows is defined by a pair of beams, and the trolley is movably coupled between the pair of beams. 16. A system according to any one of clauses 13-15.

[0097] Clause 17: A method for storing and generating electricity by means of an energy storage and supply system according to any one of clauses 1-16, said method comprising the steps of: manipulating a pair of elevator car assemblies at opposite ends of a plurality of rows of a frame to move a plurality of blocks between a first set of rows in an upper portion of the frame and a second set of corresponding rows in a lower portion of the frame that is disposed below an intermediate portion of the frame that is devoid of blocks; Operating each of the pair of elevator car assemblies includes: placing the elevator car assembly at or near a row; moving an elevator car laterally in a first direction relative to a base of the elevator car assembly to position a bottom support of the elevator car under a block on the row; Lifting the block from the row by actuating one or more movable supports coupled to the bottom support; moving the elevator car laterally in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly, thereby positioning the elevator car above the base; moving the elevator car assembly vertically along its associated elevator shaft such that the elevator car assembly moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows; The method includes:

[0098] Clause 18: Moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows, or moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows, includes positioning the blocks such that an average distribution of load on the frame relative to the foundation remains substantially constant. The method described in clause 17.

[0099] Clause 19: Moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows includes sequentially moving blocks from each of the alternating rows of the second set of rows to the corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows before returning to a first row of the alternating rows of the second set of rows. 13. The method according to any one of clauses 17-18.

[0100] Clause 20: Moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows includes sequentially moving blocks from each of the alternating rows of the first set of rows to the corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows before returning to a first row of the alternating rows of the first set of rows. 20. The method according to any one of clauses 17-19.

[0101] Clause 21. Moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows includes simultaneously moving a block from each of the alternating rows of the second set of rows to the corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows. 20. The method according to any one of clauses 17-20.

[0102] Clause 22. Moving the one or more blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows includes simultaneously moving a block from each of the alternating rows of the first set of rows to the corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows. 2. The method according to any one of clauses 17-21.

[0103] Clause 23: Moving the one or more blocks of the plurality of blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows includes moving the one or more blocks horizontally along the one or more rows of the second set of rows with a trolley that moves under the blocks and selectively lifts the blocks over a beam of the row to carry the one or more blocks to an end of the row. 2. The method according to any one of clauses 17-22.

[0104] Clause 24: Positioning a bottom support of the elevator car under a block on the row by moving an elevator car laterally in a first direction relative to a base of the elevator car assembly includes moving the elevator car laterally relative to the base by driving a linear actuator of a sliding mechanism interposed between the base and the elevator car of the elevator car assembly. The method described in clause 23.

[0105] Clause 25: A method for storing and generating electricity by means of an energy storage and supply system according to any one of clauses 1-24, said method comprising the steps of: moving one or more blocks horizontally along a first set of rows in an upper portion of the frame using a trolley toward a distal portion of the rows; moving the one or more blocks vertically under gravity into a second set of rows of the frame by manipulating an elevator car assembly to generate electrical power with a motor-generator electrically coupled to the elevator car; Including, Operating the elevator car assembly comprises: placing the elevator car assembly at or near the row; moving an elevator car laterally in a first direction relative to a base of the elevator car assembly to position a bottom support of the elevator car under a block at the distal portion of the row; Lifting the block from the row by actuating one or more movable supports coupled to the bottom support; moving the elevator car laterally in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly, thereby positioning the elevator car above the base; moving the elevator car assembly vertically along its associated elevator shaft; The method includes:

[0106] Clause 26: Operating the elevator car assembly comprises: vertically moving the block to a desired row; generally facing the elevator car assembly against the row; moving an elevator car laterally in the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly to position the block over the distal portions of the rows; lowering the block onto the end portion of the row by actuating one or more movable supports coupled to the bottom support; moving the elevator car laterally in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly to position the elevator car above the base; moving the elevator car assembly vertically along its associated elevator shaft; Further comprising: The method described in clause 25.

[0107] Clause 27: An elevator car assembly for use in an energy storage and supply system according to any one of clauses 1-26 for moving a group of blocks between a low position of a tower and a high position of a tower, storing energy and generating electricity by moving the group of blocks between the high position of the tower and the low position of the tower under gravity, said elevator car assembly comprising: An elevator car, the elevator car comprising: an upper support connectable to one or more cables or ribbons; a rear support attached to the upper support; a bottom support attached to the rear support; The elevator car has a C-shaped side, a base disposed below the elevator car; a sliding mechanism disposed between the elevator car and the base and drivable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base; An elevator car assembly comprising:

[0108] Clause 28: The sliding mechanism comprises a linear actuator operable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base. Elevator cages as referred to in clause 27.

[0109] Clause 29: The bottom support comprises one or more support members drivable to extend to different heights relative to the bottom support, the one or more support members being configured to support a block thereon. 2. An elevator car according to any one of clauses 27-28.

[0110] Although certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to include such forms or modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of the present invention is defined solely by reference to the appended claims.

[0111] It should be understood that features, materials, properties, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described in this or other parts of the specification, unless inconsistent with the present disclosure. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Protection is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. Protection extends to any novel one or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or any novel one or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0112] Moreover, certain features that are described in the disclosure in the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented separately in multiple implementations or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in a combination, in some cases one or more features from a claimed combination may be omitted from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination.

[0113] Furthermore, although operations may be depicted in the figures or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular sequence shown, nor in any sequential sequence, nor all of the operations need to be performed, to achieve desired results. Other operations not shown or described may be included in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or during any of the operations described. Furthermore, these operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the illustrated processes and / or the actual steps performed in the disclosed processes may differ from the steps shown in the figures. In some embodiments, certain of the steps described above may be omitted and other steps may be added. Furthermore, the features and characteristics of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the components and systems described may generally be integrated together in a single product or combined into multiple products.

[0114] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be made or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein.

[0115] Conditional language such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless otherwise specified or understood within the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not include them. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, nor is it intended to imply that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining, with or without user input or direction, whether those features, elements, and / or steps are included in or should be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0116] Conjunctions such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z," unless otherwise indicated, are understood in context as generally used to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctions are generally not intended to suggest that a particular embodiment requires the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0117] As used herein, terms indicating degree, such as the words "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially," refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that is close to a stated value, amount, or characteristic that performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the words "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially" can refer to an amount that is within a range of less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, and less than 0.01% of a stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the words "generally parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that is 15 degrees or less, 10 degrees or less, 5 degrees or less, 3 degrees or less, 1 degree or less, or 0.1 degrees or less away from parallelism.

[0118] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosure of preferred embodiments here or elsewhere herein, but may be defined by the claims, as set forth here or elsewhere herein, or as may be presented in the future. The language of the claims should be interpreted broadly, based on the terms used in the claims, and not limited to the examples described herein or in the prosecution of this application, which examples should be interpreted as non-exclusive.

Claims

1. 1. An energy storage and supply system, the system comprising: one or more modules, each of the one or more modules comprising: A plurality of blocks; A frame having a vertical height from a base defined by a plurality of horizontally extending rows, said frame comprising: a top having the first set of rows, each of the first set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; a lower portion having a second set of rows, each of the second set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion; a pair of elevator shafts disposed at opposite ends of the plurality of rows; an elevator car assembly movably disposed in each of the pair of elevator shafts and operably coupled to a motor-generator, the elevator car assembly sized to receive and support one or more blocks therein; A frame, one or more modules comprising Equipped with the elevator car assemblies in each of the pair of elevator shafts are operable to store an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of one or more blocks by picking up and moving the blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows; the elevator car assembly in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to generate power by picking up and moving, under gravity, one or more blocks from alternating rows of a first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of a second set of rows; the elevator car assembly moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows. system.

2. a lift drive system for moving the elevator car assembly; the lift drive system includes a motor-generator having a shaft from which one or more cables extend that couple to the elevator car assembly; the one or more cables extend around a pulley disposed vertically above the elevator car assembly, such that as the elevator car assembly moves up and down the frame, the one or more cables are maintained in a substantially vertical orientation, thereby reducing moments on the elevator car assembly. The system of claim 1 .

3. the elevator car assembly in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to move the blocks between the first set of rows and the second set of rows such that an average distribution of loads on the modular foundations is maintained substantially constant.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the frame includes a plurality of columns defined by one or more pillars supporting beams thereon; each pair of beams defines a row in the first set of rows and a row in the second set of rows extending perpendicular to the column; the beam is configured to support the blocks on its upper surface; each of said beams having a longitudinal groove below said upper surface; A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a plurality of cross members extending between said columns and providing diagonal braces therein along the length of said rows; The system of claim 4.

6. each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows includes a trolley movably coupled between the pair of beams defining the row; the trolley is configured to extend between the grooves of the pair of beams defining the row and is configured to travel under the blocks disposed on the pair of beams defining the row; the trolley is operable to lift a block onto the pair of beams and move the block horizontally along the row. The system of claim 4.

7. The trolley is a wheel assembly extending into the grooves of the pair of beams; a frame extending between the pair of beams; a support piston operable to lift the block onto the pair of beams for horizontal movement of the block along the row and to lower the block onto the pair of beams to fix the position of the block on the row; The system of claim 6.

8. the elevator car assembly includes an elevator car movably coupled to a base, the elevator car configured to move laterally relative to the base to facilitate positioning a bottom support of the elevator car under a block for picking up the block. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the elevator car picks up the block from the row by actuating one or more support members movably coupled to the bottom support of the elevator car to lift the block off the pair of beams of the row. The system of claim 8.

10. the elevator car assembly comprising a sliding mechanism disposed between the base and the elevator car, the sliding mechanism including a linear actuator drivable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base of the elevator car assembly; The system of claim 8.

11. the one or more modules are four modules arranged in a square configuration in plan such that the rows of each module extend perpendicular to the rows of an adjacent module, thereby providing the four modules with automatic bracing against wind and seismic forces; A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the one or more modules are two modules arranged in a row such that the rows of each module are substantially opposite each other; A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. 1. An energy storage and supply system, the system comprising: A plurality of blocks; A frame having a vertical height from a base defined by a plurality of horizontally extending rows, said frame comprising: a top having a first set of rows, each of the first set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; a lower portion having a second set of rows, each of the second set of rows configured to receive and support a plurality of blocks thereon; an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion; a pair of elevator shafts disposed at opposite ends of the rows; A frame, a trolley movably coupled to each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows, the trolley is operable to travel beneath the blocks in the row and is configured to lift the blocks for horizontal movement along the row. Trolley and an elevator car assembly movably disposed in each of the pair of elevator shafts and operatively coupled to a motor-generator, the elevator car assembly comprising: a locking mechanism for locking and supporting the block therein during movement along the elevator shaft; the elevator car assembly includes an elevator car movably coupled to a base by a sliding mechanism; the sliding mechanism comprising a linear actuator selectively actuable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base of the elevator car assembly. an elevator car assembly; Equipped with the elevator car assemblies in each of the pair of elevator shafts are operable to store an amount of electrical energy corresponding to an amount of potential energy of the blocks by moving one or more blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows; the elevator car assembly in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to generate power by moving one or more of the blocks under gravity from alternating rows of a first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of a second set of rows; the elevator car assembly moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows. system.

14. a lift drive system for moving the elevator car assembly; the lift drive system includes a motor-generator having a shaft extending from one or more cables coupled to the elevator car assembly; the one or more cables extend around a pulley disposed vertically above the elevator car assembly, such that as the elevator car assembly moves up and down the frame, the one or more cables are maintained in a substantially vertical orientation, thereby reducing moments on the elevator car assembly. The system of claim 13.

15. the pulley is drivable to move laterally as the elevator car moves relative to the base of the elevator car assembly, and the one or more cables are maintained in a substantially vertical orientation as the elevator car moves in and out of a row, thereby resisting the application of moments to the elevator car. The system of claim 14.

16. the elevator car in each of the pair of elevator shafts is operable to move the blocks between the first set of rows and the second set of rows such that an average distribution of the load of the frame on the foundation is maintained substantially constant. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. each row in one or both of the first set of rows and the second set of rows is defined by a pair of beams, and the trolley is movably coupled between the pair of beams. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

18. 1. A method for storing and generating electricity, the method comprising: manipulating a pair of elevator car assemblies at opposite ends of a plurality of rows of a frame to move a plurality of blocks between a first set of rows in an upper portion of the frame and a corresponding second set of rows in a lower portion of the frame disposed below a middle portion of the frame; Operating each of the pair of elevator car assemblies comprises: placing the elevator car assembly at or near a row; picking up the block by laterally moving an elevator car in a first direction relative to a base of the elevator car assembly to position a bottom support of the elevator car under the block on the row; moving the elevator car laterally in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly, thereby positioning the elevator car above the base after picking up the block; moving the elevator car assembly vertically along its associated elevator shaft such that the elevator car assembly moves the blocks an equal vertical distance between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows; The method includes:

19. and lifting the block by actuating one or more movable supports coupled to the bottom support.

20. The method of claim 18.

20. moving the blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows or from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows includes positioning the blocks such that an average distribution of load on the frame relative to a foundation remains substantially constant.

20. The method of claim 18.

21. moving the blocks from alternate rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternate rows of the first set of rows includes sequentially moving blocks from each of the alternate rows of the second set of rows to the corresponding alternate rows of the first set of rows before returning to a first row of the alternate rows of the second set of rows. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. moving the blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows includes sequentially moving blocks from each of the alternating rows of the first set of rows to the corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows before returning to a first row of the alternating rows of the first set of rows.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21.

23. moving the blocks from alternate rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternate rows of the first set of rows includes simultaneously moving blocks from each of the alternate rows of the second set of rows to the corresponding alternate rows of the first set of rows.

23. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. moving the blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows includes simultaneously moving blocks from each of the alternating rows of the first set of rows to the corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows.

24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 23.

25. moving one or more blocks of a plurality of blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows includes moving the one or more blocks horizontally along one or more rows of the second set of rows with a trolley that travels under the blocks and selectively lifts the blocks over beams of the rows to carry the one or more blocks to an end of the row.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24.

26. moving an elevator car laterally in a first direction relative to a base of the elevator car assembly to position a bottom support of the elevator car under a block on the row includes moving the elevator car laterally relative to the base by actuating a linear actuator of a sliding mechanism interposed between the base and the elevator car of the elevator car assembly.

26. The method of claim 25.

27. moving the elevator car laterally in the first direction or the second direction includes maintaining one or more cables attached to the elevator car in a vertical orientation, the one or more cables being driven by a lift drive system to move the elevator car assembly vertically between the first set of rows and the second set of rows.

27. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 26.

28. 1. A method for storing and generating electricity, the method comprising: moving one or more blocks horizontally along the rows of the first set of rows at the top of the frame using a trolley toward an end portion of the rows; moving the one or more blocks vertically under gravity into a second set of rows of the frame by manipulating an elevator car assembly to generate electrical power with a motor-generator electrically coupled to the elevator car assembly; Including, Operating the elevator car assembly comprises: placing the elevator car assembly at or near the row; picking up the block by laterally moving an elevator car in a first direction relative to a base of the elevator car assembly to position a bottom support of the elevator car under the block at the distal portion of the row; moving the elevator car laterally in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly, thereby positioning the elevator car above the base after picking up the block; moving the elevator car assembly vertically along its associated elevator shaft; The method includes:

29. lifting the block by actuating one or more movable supports coupled to the bottom support.

29. The method of claim 28.

30. Operating the elevator car assembly comprises: vertically moving the block to a desired row; generally facing the elevator car assembly against the row; moving an elevator car laterally in the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly to position the block over the terminal portions of the rows; lowering the block onto the end portion of the row by actuating one or more movable supports coupled to the bottom support; moving the elevator car laterally in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the base of the elevator car assembly to position the elevator car above the base; moving the elevator car assembly vertically along its associated elevator shaft; Further comprising:

29. The method of claim 28.

31. moving the elevator car laterally in the first direction or the second direction includes maintaining one or more cables attached to the elevator car in a vertical orientation, the one or more cables being driven by a lift drive system to move the elevator car assembly vertically between the first set of rows and the second set of rows.

29. The method of claim 28.

32. 32. An elevator car assembly for use in an energy storage and supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 31 for moving blocks between a low position of a tower and a high position of a tower, storing energy and generating electricity by moving blocks between the high position of the tower and the low position of the tower under gravity, said elevator car assembly comprising: An elevator car, the elevator car comprising: an upper support connectable to one or more cables or ribbons; a rear support attached to the upper support; a bottom support attached to the rear support; the elevator car having C-shaped sides and sized to receive and support the blocks; Elevator cage and a base disposed below the elevator car, The elevator car is configured to move laterally relative to the base. A base and An elevator car assembly comprising:

33. a sliding mechanism interposed between the elevator car and the base and drivable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base.

33. An elevator car assembly as claimed in claim 32.

34. the sliding mechanism comprises a linear actuator drivable to move the elevator car laterally relative to the base; 34. An elevator car assembly as claimed in claim 33.

35. the bottom support comprises one or more support members drivable to extend to different heights relative to the bottom support, the one or more support members configured to support a block thereon; An elevator car assembly according to any one of claims 32 to 34.

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