System and method for energy storage and delivery

Abstract

An energy storage system includes an upper storage section and a lower storage section. The upper storage section and the lower storage section can have multiple branch lines disposed at different elevations on the slope. The energy storage system can include multiple liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the multiple branch lines at the upper storage section and / or lower storage section. A main line hydraulically connects the upper storage section to the lower storage section. A turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the lower storage section to the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid. The turbine pump can generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to the lower storage section under force of gravity. The upper storage section and lower storage section are disposed on the slope without modifying the topography of the slope.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY STORAGE AND DELIVERYINCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 655776 filed June 4, 2024, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY STORAGE AND DELIVERY, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to gravity based energy storage and delivery systems, and more particularly to a hydroelectric power storage and generation system and method for use on slopes without requiring changes to topography for use (e.g., without requiring flat land for storage).Description of the Related Art

[0003] There is an increased focus on reducing the use of fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Power generation from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, biomass, etc.) continues to grow. However, existing hydroelectric power systems require flat land for storage (e.g., reservoirs), requiring changes in topography when there is no preexisting flat land.SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved hydroelectric power storage and generation system and method that can be installed on existing slopes without requiring flat land for storage (e.g., reservoirs), and therefore without requiring changes to the existing topography of the slope.

[0005] In some examples described herein, a system or an energy storage system is provided. The system can include an upper storage section including a plurality of branch lines, each branch line disposed at a different elevation on a slope. The system can also include a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to each branch line of the upperstorage section. Additionally, the system can include a lower storage section having a plurality of branch lines where each branch line can be disposed at a different elevations on a slope. The system can have a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to each branch line of the lower storage section. The lower storage section can be at a lower elevation than the higher storage section. The system can also include a turbine / pump at a lower elevation than the lower storage section. A main line can hydraulically connect the branch lines of the upper storage section to the turbine pump. A second header line can hydraulically connect the turbine pump and the branch lines of the lower storage section. The turbine / pump can pump liquid from the liquid storage units of one or more branch lines in the lower storage section to the liquid storage units of one or more corresponding branch lines in the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid. The turbine pump can also generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the liquid storage units of one or more branch lines in the upper storage section to the liquid storage units of one or more corresponding branch lines in the lower storage section under force of gravity. The upper storage section and lower storage section can be disposed or positioned on the slope without modifying the topography of the slope.

[0006] In some examples disclosed herein, a system or an energy storage system is provided. The system can include an upper storage section positioned along a slope. The upper storage section can include a plurality of branch lines where each branch line of the plurality of branch lines can be disposed at different elevations along the slope. The plurality of branch lines can conform to a topography of the slope. The upper storage section can also include a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines. The system can include a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section. A main line can hydraulically connect the plurality of branch lines and the lower storage section. A turbine pump can be positioned at or proximate the lower storage section. The turbine pump can be operable to pump liquid from the lower storage section and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units to store energy as potential energy of the liquid. The turbine pump can be operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the lower storage section under force of gravity.

[0007] In some examples disclosed herein, a system or an energy storage system is provided. The system can include an upper storage section positioned along a slope. The system can include a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section. The lower storage section can include a plurality of branch lines where each branch line of the plurality of branch lines can be disposed at different elevations along the slope. The plurality of branch lines can conform to a topography of the slope. The lower storage section can have a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines. A main line can hydraulically connect the plurality of branch lines to the upper storage section. A turbine pump can be positioned at or proximate the lower storage section. The turbine pump can pump liquid from the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units and to the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid. The turbine pump can generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section under force of gravity.

[0008] In some examples disclosed herein, a system or an energy storage system is provided. The system can include an upper storage section including a first plurality of branch lines where each branch line of the first plurality of branch lines can be disposed at different elevations on a slope. A first plurality of liquid storage units can be hydraulically connected to each branch line of the upper storage section. The system can include a lower storage section including a second plurality of branch lines where each branch line of the second plurality of branch lines can be disposed at different elevations on the slope. The lower storage section is at a lower elevation than the upper storage section. A second plurality of liquid storage units can be hydraulically connected to each branch line of the lower storage section. A turbine pump can be disposed at an elevation below the lower storage section. A main line can be hydraulically connected to the first plurality of branch lines of the upper storage section and to the turbine pump; and a second header line hydraulically connected to the turbine pump and to the second plurality of branch lines of the lower storage section. The turbine pump can pump liquid from the second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section to the first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to one or more corresponding branch lines of the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid. Theturbine pump can generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the second plurality of liquid storage units of one or more corresponding branch lines of the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section under force of gravity. The upper storage section and the lower storage section can be disposed on the slope without modifying a topography of the slope.

[0009] In some examples disclosed herein, a method for storing energy with an energy storage system is disclosed. The method can include one or more first valves located along a plurality of first branch lines at a lower storage section. The lower storage section can be positioned along a lower elevation of a slope. A first plurality of liquid storage units can be hydraulically connected to the plurality of first branch lines at the lower storage section. The method can include pumping a liquid from the first plurality of liquid storage units and through the plurality of first of branch lines with a turbine pump at the lower storage section. The liquid can be pumped along the slope from the lower elevation to a higher elevation through a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of first branch lines. The method can include opening one or more second valves located along a plurality of second branch lines at an upper storage section. The upper storage section can be positioned along the higher elevation. The method can include filling a second plurality of liquid storage units at the upper storage section with the liquid pumped from the first plurality of liquid storage units to store energy as potential energy of the liquid.

[0010] In some examples disclosed herein, a method of generating energy with an energy storage system are provided. The method can include opening one or more valves located along a set of branch lines at an upper storage section. The upper storage section can be positioned along an upper elevation of a slope. The method can include flowing a liquid from a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the set of branch lines at the upper storage section to a main line when the one or more valves are opened. The method can include flowing the liquid from the upper storage section through the main line and to a lower storage section at a lower elevation of the slope under a force of gravity. The method can include rotating a turbine at the lower storage section with the flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to generate electricity.

[0011] In some examples disclosed herein, a water storage system is provided. The water storage system can include an upper storage section positioned along a slope. The upper storage section can include a plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope and configured to conform to a topography of the slope. The upper storage section can include a plurality of liquid storage units having a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold a liquid. The plurality of liquid storage units can hydraulically connect to the plurality of branch lines. A lower storage section can be positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section. A main line can hydraulically connect the plurality of branch lines and the lower storage section. The liquid can flow from the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the lower storage section under a force of gravity. The liquid at the lower storage section is stored in a water tank.

[0012] In some examples disclosed herein, a water storage system is provided. The water storage system can include an upper storage section positioned along a slope. The water storage system can include a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section. The lower storage section can include a plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope and configured to conform to a topography of the slope. A plurality of liquid storage units at the lower storage section can have a flexible membrane to receive and hold a liquid. The plurality of liquid storage units can be hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines. A main line can hydraulically connect to the plurality of branch lines and the upper storage section. A pump can be positioned at or proximate the lower storage section. The pump can pump the liquid from the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units and to the upper storage section to store the liquid. The liquid at the upper storage section can be stored in a water tank.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure l is a schematic view of an energy storage system

[0014] Figure 2A is a schematic partial view of an example energy storage system for use with the system of Figure 1.

[0015] Figure 2B is a schematic partial view of an example energy storage system for use with the system of Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank for use with the energy storage system of Figures 1-2B.

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank for use with the energy storage system of Figures 1-2B.

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank for use with the energy storage system of Figures 1-2B.

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank for use with the energy storage system of Figures 1-2B.

[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank for use with the energy storage system of Figures 1-2B.

[0021] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid storage tank for use with the energy storage system of Figures 1-2B.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 shows an energy storage and delivery system 100 (the “system”). The energy storage and delivery system 100 is a hydroelectric system. Advantageously, the system 100 can be implemented on a slope S (e.g., hill, mountain) without requiring changes (e.g., modifying) to topography for use (e.g., without requiring previously existing flat land, or requiring the flattening of land, for reservoir storage). The system 100 advantageously has a reduced cost of installation (e.g., because it does not require flattening of land), has decreased installation time, and can be implemented in a greater number of geographical locations.

[0023] The system 100 can have an upper storage section 110 and a lower storage section 120. The upper storage section 110 can be at a higher elevation than the lower storage section 120 (e.g., along the slope S). The system 100 can be used for water storage and delivery systems. For example, the system 100 can be used as a source of water distribution for fire fighting applications (as described further below).

[0024] The upper storage section 110 can have a plurality of liquid storage units 300 (e.g., liquid reservoirs, described further below) hydraulically connected to a main line 140 (e.g., a main pipe, a first header pipe) by one or more (e.g., multiple) branch lines 112 (e.g., branch pipes) that are hydraulically connected to the main line 140. The one or more branch lines 112 can be contour lines (e.g., contour pipes that generally follow or conform to a contour of the topography) extending at a particular elevation. In FIG. 1, the upper storagesection 110 has three branch lines 112. Each branch line 1 12 can have multiple liquid storage units 300 hydraulically connected to it. Each branch line 112 can be contoured and generally follow the contour of the topography and can extend along an elevation (e.g., so that the liquid storage units 300 hydraulically connected to the branch line 112 are at the same elevation or approximately at the same elevation). Each branch line 112 can be hydraulically connected to the main line 140 as discussed further below.

[0025] The lower storage section 120 can have a plurality of liquid storage units 300 (e.g., liquid reservoirs, described further below) hydraulically connected to a second header line 150 (e.g., a second header pipe) by one or more (e.g., multiple) branch lines 122 (e.g., branch pipes). The one or more branch lines 122 can be contour lines (e.g., contour pipes that generally follow a contour of the topography) extending at a particular elevation. In FIG. 1, the lower storage section 120 has three branch lines 122, each branch line 122 having multiple liquid storage units 300 hydraulically connected to a respective branch line 122. Each branch line 122 can be contoured and generally follow the contour of the topography and can extend along an elevation (e.g., so that the liquid storage units 300 connected to the branch line 122 are at the same elevation or approximately at the same elevation). Each branch line 122 can be hydraulically connected to the second header line 150 as discussed further below.

[0026] The system 100 also includes one or more turbine / pumps 200 interposed between and hydraulically connected to ends of the main line 140 (e.g., first header pipe) and the second header line 150 (e.g., second header pipe). The one or more turbine / pumps 200 are disposed at an elevation below the lower storage section 120. The one or more turbine / pumps 200 are electrically connected to one or more electric motor / generators EM. To store energy (e.g., as potential energy of the liquid), the turbine / pump 200 operates as a pump (e.g., powered by its electric motor / generator) to pump liquid (e.g., water) from liquid storage units 300 in the lower storage section 120 to liquid storage units 300 in the upper storage section 110. The amount of energy stored corresponds to the potential energy of the liquid stored in the liquid storage units 300 in the upper storage section 110. Power from renewable energy sources (e.g., wind energy, solar energy) can be used to operate the turbine / pumps 200 with the electric motor / generators EM to pump the liquid to the liquid storage units 300 in the upper storage section 110. To generate electricity, liquid is allowed to flow from liquid storage units 300 in the upper storage section 110 to liquid storage units 300 in the lower storage section 120 (e.g.,under force of gravity), such liquid flowing down the main line 140, through and driving rotation of the one or more turbine / pumps 200 (which operates as a turbine) to generate electricity with the one or more electric motor / generators EM, and flowing through the second header line 150 to the liquid storage units 300 (e.g., via the branch lines 122) in the lower storage section 120. The generated electricity can, in one example, be transferred to an electric grid to power homes and businesses (e.g., when renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, are unavailable, such as at night).

[0027] The operation of the system 100 will now be described with references to FIG. 1. In a maximum storage condition, all of the liquid storage units 300 in the upper section 110 can be filled and all of the liquid storage units 300 in the lower storage section 120 can be unfilled (e.g., empty). The liquid (e g., water) in each of the liquid storage units 300 of each of the branch lines 112 of the upper section 110 stores energy as potential energy. One or more valves (discussed further below) of the branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 can be closed once the liquid storage units 300 of the branch lines 112 are filled with liquid (e.g., water). Advantageously, by closing the valves, not only is the liquid (e.g., water) retained in the liquid storage units 300 of the corresponding branch line 112, but the liquid pressure on the liquid storage units 300 is limited to the pressure in the single branch line 112 height (e.g., the liquid storage units 300 of each branch line 112 that are filled with liquid are not subjected to pressure from liquid storage units 300 of the branch lines 112 above it that are filled with liquid, the liquid storage units 300 and the branch lines 112 are hydraulically isolated).

[0028] In one example, to generate electricity, liquid is allowed to flow (by opening one or more valves, as further described below) from the last A3 of the branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 to the last B3 of the branch lines 122 in the lower storage section 120 (e.g., with the valves of the remaining branch lines 112, 122 remaining closed). Said liquid flows from the last A3 of the branch lines 112 into the main line 140, falls under force of gravity to the turbine / pumps 200, rotates the turbine / pumps 200 to generate electricity (via an electric motor / generator EM coupled to the turbine / pumps 200), and continues to flow to the last B3 of the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120 to fill the liquid storage units 300 in said last B3 of the branch lines 122, after which one or more valves (discussed further below) associated with the last B3 of the branch lines 122 are closed (e.g., to retain the waterin the liquid storage units 300 of the last B3 of the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120).

[0029] To generate additional electricity, liquid is allowed to flow (by opening one or more valves, as further described below) from the next to last A2 of the branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 to the next to last B2 of the branch lines 122 in the lower storage section 120 (e.g., with the valves of the remaining branch lines 112, 122 remaining closed). Said liquid flows from the next to last A2 of the branch lines 112 into the main line 140, falls under force of gravity to the turbine / pumps 200, rotates the turbine / pumps 200 to generate electricity (via an electric motor / generator EM coupled to the turbine / pumps 200), and continues to flow to the next to last B2 of the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120 to fdl the liquid storage units 300 in said next to last B2 of the branch lines 122, after which one or more valves (discussed further below) are closed (e.g., to retain the water in the liquid storage units 300 of the next to last B2 of the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120).

[0030] The process described above can continue to generate electricity by transferring liquid (e.g., water) from the liquid storage units 300 in each branch line 112 in the upper storage section 110 to liquid storage units 300 of a corresponding branch line 122 in the lower storage section 120, for example, until the liquid storage units 300 of all the branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 are empty and the liquid storage units 300 of all the branch lines 122 in the lower storage section 120 are filled (e g., with their corresponding valves closed to retain the liquid therein). Advantageously, the liquid is moved between branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 and corresponding branch lines 122 in the lower storage section 120 so that the turbine / pumps 200 operate with the same pressure differential, which can increase the efficiency of operation.

[0031] In some examples, the process for generating electricity can include delivering liquid (e.g., water) from the upper storage section 110 (e.g., via the liquid storage units 300) to the lower storage section 120, where the lower storage section 120 is a body of water (e.g., a river, a lake, an ocean, a man-made reservoir). The liquid storage units 300 can each be filled (e.g., entirely filled, partially filled) with a liquid before being emptied to generate electricity. One or more valves of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110 can open to deliver the liquid from the upper storage section 110 to the body of water atthe lower storage section 120. For example, the liquid can flow from the last A3 of the branch lines 112, to the main line 140 under the force of gravity and to one or more turbine / pumps 200 positioned in or proximate the body of water at the lower storage section 120 to generate electricity (e.g., via an electric motor / generator EM coupled to the one or more turbine / pumps 200). The one or more turbine / pumps 200 can be positioned adjacent to the body of water (e.g., along the slope S outside of and adjacent to the body of water at the lower storage section 120). After the liquid storage units 300 at the last A3 of the branch lines 112 are emptied (e.g., unfdled, drained), the one or more valves of the last A3 of the branch lines 112 can close.

[0032] To generate additional electricity, one or more valves of the next to last A2 of the branch lines 112 can open (e.g., while one or more valves of the other branch lines 112 are closed). The liquid storage units 300 at the next to last A2 of the branch lines 112 can deliver the liquid from the upper storage section 110, through the main line 140, and to the one or more turbine / pumps 200 at the body of water at the lower storage section 120. Electricity can be generated when the liquid flows past the one or more turbine / pumps 200 at lower storage section 120. Additional electricity can be generated when the liquid flows from the liquid storage units 300 at the first Al of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110, to the main line 140, and past the one or more turbine / pumps 200 at or adjacent to the lower storage section 120 (e.g., when the one or more valves of the first Al of the branch lines is opened). In some examples, all of the valves of the branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 can open at once in order to deliver all of the liquid from the upper storage section 110 past the turbine / pumps 200 and to the body of water at the lower storage section 120 simultaneously. In other examples, the liquid in the upper storage section 110 can be delivered to the lower storage section 120 sequentially (e.g., liquid can leave the last A3 of the branch lines 112, followed by the next to last A2 of the 112, and then the first Al of the branch lines 112).

[0033] In some examples, the liquid can be delivered from the upper storage section 110 (e.g., via the liquid storage units 300) and to one or more water storage or delivery systems at the lower storage section 120. The one or more water storage or delivery systems at the lower storage section 120 can include reservoirs, municipal storage systems (e.g., water towers), water tanks, and / or aquifers. The liquid stored at the lower storage section 120 can be used for firefighting applications (e.g., the water can be delivered from the upper storagesection 1 10 and to tanks connectable to water hoses the lower storage section 120). In some examples, the liquid can be pumped from the lower storage section 120 (e.g., the body of water) to the liquid storage units 300 at the upper storage section 110. The liquid storage units 300 at the upper storage section 110 may be connectable to a water delivery system (e.g., a storage tank). The water in the water storage tank can be stored for other uses (e.g., firefighting applications).

[0034] In some examples, the process for generating electricity can include delivering liquid (e.g., water) from the upper storage section 110 when the upper storage section 110 is a body of water (e.g., a river, a lake, an ocean, a man-made reservoir) and to the lower storage section (e.g., to the liquid storage units 300). The liquid storage units 300 at the lower storage section 120 can initially be partially empty or completely empty (e.g., unfilled). To generate electricity, liquid can flow from the upper storage section 110 (e.g., via the river, lake, ocean, and / or a man-made reservoir) through the main line 140, through and drive one rotation of the one or more turbine / pumps 200 at the lower storage section 120 (e.g., by opening one or more valves at the lower storage section 120, as further described below). The liquid can flow from the one or more turbine / pumps 200 through the second header line 150 and to the liquid storage units 300 at the branch lines 122. In some examples, the liquid can flow from the upper storage section 110 (e.g., the lake) to the main line 140 past the one or more turbine / pumps 200 (e.g., to rotate the one or more turbine / pumps 200 to generate electricity via an electric motor / generator EM coupled to the one or more turbine / pumps) and to the last B3 of the branch lines 122 in the lower section 120 (e.g., when the next to last B2 and first B 1 branch lines 122 have valves that are closed). Liquid can then flow from the upper storage section 110 and to the next to last B2 of the branch lines 122 to generate additional electricity (e.g., when the valves of the last B3 and first Bl branch lines 122 are closed). Energy can be generated (e.g., additional energy, electricity) when liquid flows from the upper storage section 110 to the first Bl of the branch lines 122 (e.g., when the valves of the last B3 and next to last B2 branch lines 122 are closed). Energy (e.g., electricity) can be generated by flowing liquid from the upper storage section 110 (e.g., the lake or body of water) and to the different branch lines 122 (e.g., first Bl, next to last B2, and last B3) of the lower storage section 120 sequentially. Energy (e.g., electricity) can also be generated by flowing liquid from the upper storage section 110 and each of the branch lines 122 (e.g., first Bl, next to last B2, last B3) atthe lower storage section 120 simultaneously (e.g., by opening all or nearly all of the valves at the lower storage section 120).

[0035] The process of storing energy is the same as described above but in reverse. For example, starting from a scenario where the liquid storage units 300 of all the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120 are filled with liquid (e.g., with water) and the liquid storage units 300 of all the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110 are empty, one or more valves (discussed further below) corresponding to a first Bl of the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120 are opened, and one or more valves (discussed further below) corresponding to a first Al of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110 are opened (e.g., with the valves of the remaining branch lines 112, 122 remaining closed). Liquid (e.g., water) in the liquid storage units 300 of the first Bl of the branch lines 122 is pumped (by the turbine / pump 200 powered by the electric motor / generator EM) to the first Al of the branch lines 112 to fill the liquid storage units 300 thereof with liquid (e.g., water), after which the one or more valves corresponding to the first Al of the branch lines 112 is closed to retain the liquid therein (e.g., retain the liquid in the liquid storage units 300 hydraulically connected to the first Al of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110). Said liquid flows from the liquid storage units 300 of the first B 1 of the branch lines 122, into the second header line 150, flows into and is pumped by the turbine / pumps 200 (powered by the electric motor / generators EM) into and up the main line 140, and flows into the first Al of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110 and into the liquid storage units 300 thereof.

[0036] Then, to store additional energy, one or more valves (discussed further below) corresponding to a second B2 of the branch lines 122 of the lower storage section 120 is opened, one or more valves (discussed further below) corresponding to a second A2 of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110 is opened (e.g., with the valves of the remaining branch lines 112, 122 remaining closed). The liquid (e.g., water) in the liquid storage units 300 of the second B2 of the branch lines 122 is pumped (by the turbine / pump 200 powered by the electric motor / generator EM) into and up the main line 140 and flows to the second A2 of the branch lines 112 to fdl the liquid storage units 300 thereof with liquid (e.g., water), after which the one or more valves corresponding to the second A2 of the branch lines 112 is closed to retain the liquid therein (e.g., retain the liquid in the liquid storage units 300hydraulically connected to the second A2 of the branch lines 112 of the upper storage section 110).

[0037] The process can be continued to move liquid (e.g., water) from liquid storage units 300 of branch lines 122 in the lower storage section 120 to liquid storage units 300 of branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110, for example, until the liquid storage units 300 of all the branch lines 112 in the upper storage section 110 are filled with liquid (e.g., filled with water) and the liquid storage units 300 of all the branch lines 122 in the lower storage section 120 are empty.

[0038] In some examples, the process of storing energy can include delivering liquid from a body of water (e.g., a river, a lake, an ocean, a man-made reservoir) at the lower storage section 120 and to the liquid storage units 300 at the upper storage section 110. The process can include pumping liquid (e.g., water) from the body of water at the lower storage section 120 (e.g., via the one or more turbine / pumps 200 positioned within or adjacent to the body of water), through the main line 140 and to the branch lines 112 at the upper storage section 110. The liquid can be pumped sequentially to each branch line 112 (e.g., the first Al branch line 112, the next to last A2 branch line 112, the last A3 branch line 112) at the upper storage section 110. For example, when the one or more valves at the first Al of the branch lines 112 are opened, the liquid from the body of water at the lower storage section 120 can flow through the main line 140 at to the first branch line Al before flowing to the next to last A2 branch line 112 and the last A3 branch line 112. Additionally, the liquid can be pumped to each of the branch lines 112 (e.g., first Al, next to last A2, last A3) simultaneously (e.g., by opening all or nearly all of the valves to pump liquid via the one or more turbines / pumps 200 at or adjacent to the body of water at the lower storage section 120).

[0039] In some examples, the process of storing energy can include delivering liquid (e.g., water) from the lower storage section 120 (e.g., via the liquid storage units 300) and to a body of water (e.g. a river, a lake, an ocean, a man-made reservoir) at the upper storage section 110. The process can include pumping liquid from the liquid storage units 300 at the lower storage section 120 (e.g., along each of the branch lines 122) with the one or more turbine / pumps 200. For example, the liquid can be pumped from the liquid storage units 300 at the last B3 of the branch lines 122 (e.g., by opening one or more valves along the last B3 of the branch lines 122) via the one or more turbine / pumps 200 at the lower storage section 120,through the main line 140, and to the upper storage section 110. The liquid can be pumped from the next to last B2 of the branch lines 122 via the one or more turbine / pumps 200, through the main line 140 and to the upper storage section 110. The liquid can be pumped from the first Bl of the branch lines 122 via the one or more turbine / pumps, through the main line 140, and to the upper storage section 110. The liquid can be pumped sequentially from each of the branch lines 122 (e.g., last B3, next to last B2, first Bl) and to the upper storage section 110. The liquid can be pumped simultaneously from each of the branch lines 122 (e.g., by opening all or nearly all of the valves along the branch lines 122) and to the upper storage section 110. The liquid can be pumped from the branch lines 112 and through the second header line 150 before flowing through the main line 140.

[0040] In some examples, the liquid can be pumped from the lower storage section 120 (e.g., via the liquid storage units 300) and to one or more one or more water storage or delivery systems at the upper storage section 110. The one or more water storage or delivery systems at the upper storage section 110 can include reservoirs, municipal storage systems (e.g., water towers), water tanks, and / or aquifers. The liquid stored at the upper storage section 110 can be used for firefighting applications (e.g., the water can be delivered from the lower storage section 120 and to tanks connectable to water hoses at the upper storage section 110). In some examples, the liquid can flow from the upper storage section 110 (e.g., the body of water) and to the liquid storage units 300 at the lower storage section 120. The liquid storage units 300 at the lower storage section 120 may be connectable to a water delivery system (e.g., a storage tank). The water in the water storage tank can be stored for other uses (e.g., firefighting applications).

[0041] FIG. 2A schematically shows one implementation that can be used with the system 100 in FIG. 1. For simplicity, FIG. 2A only shows a portion of one branch line 112, 122 of the system 100 connected to the main line 140 or second header line 150, but one of skill in the art will recognize that the structure shown can be implemented in all the branch lines 112, 122 of the system 100. For simplicity, the branch line 112, 122 is shown as linear but, as discussed above, it can be contoured and generally follow the contour of the topography. As shown, each of the branch lines 112, 122 of the system 100 can be connected to the main line 140 or second header line 150, respectively, via a branch valve MV. The branch valve MV is actuatable between an open position and a closed position (e.g., by an actuator, and electronicactuator). The branch valves MV can be butterfly valves. The branch valves MV of the branch lines 112, and the branch valves MV of the branch lines 122, can be operated one at a time (e.g., to fill the energy storage units 300 of each branch line 112 one at a time, to empty the energy storage units 300 of each branch line 122 one at a time, or vice versa). When in the open position, the branch valve MV allows liquid flow into the branch line 112, 122 to simultaneously fill the liquid storage units 300 thereof to fill them, or, if the liquid storage units 300 were previously filled, allows liquid to flow out of liquid storage units 300 and into the main line 140 or second header line 150. When in the closed position, the branch valve MV disallows liquid flow into or out of the branch line 112, 122. In this implementation, all liquid storage units 300 are filled at the same time when the branch valve MV of the branch line 112, 122 is opened. In this implementation, all of the branch valves MV and all of the branch lines 112, 122 of the system 100 have the same size (e g., diameter) as the main line 140 to accommodate all the liquid flow. For example, if the main line 140 has a diameter of 900 mm, the branch valve MV and branch line 112, 122 will also have a diameter of 900 mm. However, as not all branch lines 112, 122 and / or liquid storage units 300 in all branch lines 112, 122 may be used for storage and energy delivery when the system 100 is in use, this implementation requires increased capital expenditures (e.g., of all the branch lines 112, 122 and their branch valves MV) to match the size of the main line 140.

[0042] FIG. 2B schematically shows another implementation that can be used with the system 100 in FIG. 1. For simplicity, FIG. 2B only shows a portion of one branch line 112, 122 of the system 100 connected to the main line 140 or second header line 150, but one of skill in the art will recognize that the structure shown can be implemented in all the branch lines 112, 122 of the system 100. For simplicity, the branch line 112, 122 is shown as linear but, as discussed above, it can be contoured and generally follow the contour of the topography. As shown, each of the branch lines 112, 122 of the system 100 can be connected to the main line 140 or second header line 150, respectively, via a branch valve MV. The branch valve MV is actuatable between an open position and a closed position (e.g., by an actuator, and electronic actuator). Additionally, each of the liquid storage units 300 can have a valve MV’ between its reservoir and the branch line 112, 122. The valves MV, MV’ can be butterfly valves. Each valve MV’ can be opened at a different amount to distribute liquid between them, for example, so that all liquid storage units 300 are filled at the same rate (and with the same amount) whenthe branch valve MV is opened and liquid (e.g., water) flows into the branch line 112, 122. For example, the valve MV’ of the liquid storage unit 300 closest to the branch valve MV can be least open, the valve MV’ of the liquid storage unit 300 farthest from the branch valve MV can be most open, and the valve MV’ of the liquid storage units 300 in between can be opened by corresponding varying amounts, the openings in the valves MV’ increases the farther the liquid storage unit 300 is from the branch valve MV. The openings of the valves MV’ can be controlled by an electronic controller (e.g., proportional -integral -derivative or PID controller). In this implementation, the liquid storage units 300 of multiple branch lines 112 or 122 can be filled at the same time. Advantageously, in this implementation the size of the branch lines 112, 122 and branch valves MV can be smaller than those in FIG. 2A (e.g., they do not need to be the same size as that of the main line 140), thereby reducing the cost of the system 100 and implementation (e.g., since smaller branch lines 112, 122 and branch valves MV are used). For example, if the main line 140 has a diameter of 900 mm, the branch lines 112, 122 can have a diameter 600 mm or 500 mm.

[0043] FIGS. 3-8 show a liquid storage unit 300 that can be used in the system 100. The liquid storage unit 300 has a storage unit or tank 302, which is attached to (e.g., suspended from) a vertical central support 303 (e.g., a post). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the vertical central support 303 (e.g., post) is anchored in the ground G (e.g., via cement C). In another example, shown in FIGS. 4-8, a base 304 is attached to the end of the vertical central support 303 and has openings or holes 305 sized to receive bolts therethrough. The base 304, and therefore the vertical central support 303 and the liquid storage unit 300, can be bolted to a foundation (e.g., cement foundation) in the ground G. The storage unit or tank 302 has (e.g., includes or consists of) a flexible wall or membrane 306 attached to the vertical central support 303 at an upper end, for example via an upper attachment ring 308, and at a lower end, for example via a lower attachment ring 309. The flexible wall or membrane 306 can receive and hold liquid (e.g., water) therein. The liquid storage unit 300 additionally includes a water connection W with a valve MV’ that can be hydraulically connected to, for example, the branch lines 112, 122 of the system 100 to, for example, delivery liquid (e.g., water) into the membrane 306 via opening WO in the vertical central support 303. The liquid storage unit 300 also includes an air line A that can be connected to an air source (e.g. blower) and extends to an opening AO (e.g., in the vertical central support 303) proximate the upper end of the storageunit or tank 302. When filled, the storage unit or tank 302 can have a tear drop shape, as shown for example in FIG. 3. Air is injected, via the air line A, into the top of the storage unit or tank302 to maintain the membrane 306 inflated as the liquid is dispensed from the storage unit or tank 302 (e.g., during a discharging step in the system 100), to advantageously inhibit the membrane from sagging below the water outlet as liquid is dispended and to allow the liquid at the bottom of the storage unit or tank 302 to be dispensed. Air pressure of a few hundred millibars (e.g., 100 mbar) can be maintained in the storage unit or tank 302. In one example, a blower delivers air into the storage unit or tank 302 at constant pressure. In another example, the blower varies the pressure of the air delivered into the storage unit or tank 302 (e.g., can increase air flow and pressure as the liquid level drops in the storage unit or tank 302).

[0044] In one implementation, a central blower is connected to all the liquid storage units 300 coupled to a branch line 112 or 122. In another implementation, a central blower is connected to all of the liquid storage units 300 in the upper storage section 110 or the lower storage section 120. In another implementation, a separate blower is coupled to each liquid storage unit 300. In one example, shown in FIG. 6, a blower unit B can be mounted on top of (e g. above) the storage unit or tank 302 (e.g., coupled to the vertical central support or post303 above the flexible membrane 306) for each liquid storage unit 300. The blower B can provide an autonomous air inflating system. Optionally, the blower B can be powered by a photovoltaic panel PV (e.g., directly powered) and / or battery electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel PV (e.g., indirectly powered), which can be removably installed in the blower unit B. In another example, the blower B of each liquid storage unit 300 can be powered by a central power source (e.g., that also powers the electric motor / generator EM).

[0045] Advantageously the liquid storage unit 300 (e.g., vertical central support 303, storage unit or tank 302, water connection W, valve MV’, air line A, base 304 and / or with the blower B and / or photovoltaic panel PV) can be preassembled and shipped as a single assembled unit, so that it only has to be coupled to the foundation (e.g., bolted to the foundation), the water connection W connected to the branch lines 112, 122 and the air line A connected to a blower for the liquid storage unit 300 to be placed into operation. For example, the liquid storage unit 300 can be shipped with the flexible membrane 306 collapsed (see FIG. 4), like an umbrella, and expanded (see FIG. 3) once installed and connected to the branch lines 112, 122 and air source (e.g., blower).

[0046] With reference to FIG. 7, the liquid storage unit 300 can have two pressure sensors Pl, P2. One pressure sensor P2 can sense ambient air pressure. The other pressure sensor Pl can sense a pressure differential between the air in the upper end of the storage unit or tank 302 and the liquid in the bottom of the storage unit or tank 302, from which a liquid level H in the storage unit or tank 302 can be computed (and therefore calculate liquid volume in the storage unit or tank 302), which can be used to control the position of the valves MV, MV’ of the system 100 (e.g., between varying open positions of the valves MV’). In one example, every liquid storage unit 300 has the pressure sensors Pl, P2. In another example, less than all (e.g., only one of the) liquid storage units 300 on a branch line 112, 122 of the system 100 has the pressure sensors Pl, P2 (e.g., since all liquid storage units 300 on a branch line 112, 122 are at the same elevation or approximately the same elevation).

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a liquid storage unit 300 that differs from the one in FIG. 6 only in that the second pressure sensor Pl measures a pressure of air plus liquid at the bottom of the storage unit or tank 302, instead of measuring a pressure differential. In this implementation, the air pressure (provided by ambient pressure sensor P2) is subtracted from the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor Pl to obtain the pressure provided by the liquid in the storage unit or tank 302, from which the liquid level H in the storage unit or tank 302 can be computed and therefore calculate liquid volume in the storage unit or tank 302), which can be used to control the position of the valves MV, MV’ of the system 100 (e.g., between varying open positions of the valves MV’). In one example, every liquid storage unit 300 has the pressure sensors Pl, P2. In another example, less than all (e.g., only one) of the liquid storage units 300 on a branch line 112, 122 of the system 100 has the pressure sensors Pl, P2 (e.g., since all liquid storage units 300 on a branch line 112, 122 are at the same elevation or approximately the same elevation).

[0048] In one implementation, the electronics (e.g., sensors Pl, P2, controller for valve MV’) of the liquid storage units 300 can communicate wirelessly (e.g., WiFi, mesh wireless network) with a controller (e.g., that controls operation of the blower B, operation of the valve MV’, operation of the valve MV, etc.). In one example, the controller can be a separate controller for the liquid storage units 300 on each branch line 112 or 122. In another example, the controller can be a controller that controls the liquid storage units 300 in the upperstorage section 110 and a separate controller that controls the liquid storage units 300 in the lower storage section 120.Additional Embodiments

[0049] In embodiments of the present disclosure, an hydroelectric power storage and generation system and a method of operation for generating electricity and storing energy from a flow of liquid along a hill or slope, or a water storage system and method of operating the same, may be in accordance with any of the following clauses:Clause 1. An energy storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope, the upper storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope, the plurality of branch lines configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the lower storage section; and a turbine pump positioned at or proximate the lower storage section, wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the lower storage section and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units to store energy as potential energy of the liquid, and wherein the turbine pump is operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the lower storage section under force of gravity.Clause 2. The energy storage system of clause 1, wherein the lower storage section is a body of water.Clause 3. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 1-2, further comprising a valve between each branch line of the plurality of branch lines, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line of the plurality of branch lines and liquid storage units of the plurality of liquid storage units thereof with the main line, wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the main line.Clause 4. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.Clause 5. The energy storage system of clause 4, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.Clause 6. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the liquid flows sequentially from each of the plurality of branch lines.Clause 7. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the liquid flows simultaneously from all of the plurality of branch lines.Clause 8. An energy storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section, the lower storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope, the plurality of branch lines configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the upper storage section; and a turbine pump positioned at or proximate the lower storage section, wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units and to the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid, wherein the turbine pump is operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section under force of gravity.Clause 9. The energy storage system of clause 8, wherein the upper storage section is a body of water.Clause 10. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 8-9, further comprising a valve between each branch line of the plurality of branch lines, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line of the plurality of branch lines and liquid storage units of the plurality of liquid storage units thereof with the main line, wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the main line.Clause 11. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 8-10, wherein the plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.Clause 12. The energy storage system of clause 11, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.Clause 13. An energy storage system, comprising: an upper storage section comprising a first plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the first plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations on a slope; a first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to each branch line of the upper storage section; a lower storage section comprising a second plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the second plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations on the slope, wherein the lower storage section is at a lower elevation than the upper storage section; a second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to each branch line of the lower storage section; a turbine pump disposed at an elevation below the lower storage section; a main line hydraulically connected to the first plurality of branch lines of the upper storage section and to the turbine pump; and a second header line hydraulically connected to the turbine pump and to the second plurality of branch lines of the lower storage section; wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section to the first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to one or more corresponding branch lines of the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid; and wherein the turbine pump is operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the second plurality of liquid storage units of one or more corresponding branch lines of the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section under force of gravity, the upper storage section and the lower storage section disposed on the slope without modifying a topography of the slope.Clause 14. The energy storage system of clause 13, further comprising a valve between each branch line of the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section and the main line, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line and liquid storage units thereof with the main line, and wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the main line.Clause 15. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 13-14, further comprising a valve between each branch lines of the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section and the second header line, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position tohydraulically communicate a branch line and liquid storage units thereof with the second header line, and wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the second header line.Clause 16. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 13-15, wherein the liquid is water.Clause 17. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 13-16, wherein the first plurality of liquid storage units and the second plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.Clause 18. The energy storage system of clause 17, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.Clause 19. The energy storage system of any one of clauses 17-18, further comprising a blower above the flexible membrane and operable to flow air into the flexible membrane.Clause 20. The energy storage system of clause 19, further comprising a photovoltaic panel electrically connected to the blower and configured to directly power the blower or indirectly power the blower via a battery.Clause 21. A method of storing energy with an energy storage system, comprising: opening one or more first valves located along a plurality of first branch lines at a lower storage section, the lower storage section positioned along a lower elevation of a slope; emptying a first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of first branch lines at the lower storage section; pumping liquid from the first plurality of liquid storage units and through the plurality of first of branch lines with a turbine pump at the lower storage section, wherein the liquid is pumped along the slope from the lower elevation to a higher elevation through a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of first branch lines; opening one or more second valves located along a plurality of second branch lines at an upper storage section, the upper storage section positioned along the higher elevation; and filling a second plurality of liquid storage units at the upper storage section with the liquid pumped from the first plurality of liquid storage units to store energy as potential energy of the liquid.Clause 22. The method of clause 21, further comprising closing the one or more first valves after the first plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of first branch lines are emptied.Clause 23. The method of any one of clauses 21-22, wherein the first plurality of liquid storage units and the second plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.Clause 24. The method of clause 23, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.Clause 25. The method of any one of clauses 21-24, further comprising generating electricity by flowing the liquid from the upper storage section and past the turbine pump at the lower storage section under a force of gravity, wherein the turbine pump is connected to an electric motor / generator.Clause 26. A method of generating energy with an energy storage system, comprising: opening one or more valves located along a set of branch lines at an upper storage section, wherein the upper storage section is positioned along an upper elevation of a slope; flowing a liquid from a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the set of branch lines at the upper storage section to a main line when the one or more valves are opened; flowing the liquid from the upper storage section through the main line and to a lower storage section at a lower elevation of the slope under a force of gravity; and rotating a turbine at the lower storage section with the flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to generate electricity.Clause 27. The method of clause 26, further comprising opening one or more second valves located along a second set of branch lines at the lower storage section.Clause 28. The method of any one of clauses 26-27, further comprising storing the liquid in a second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to a second set of branch lines at the lower storage section.Clause 29. The method of clause 28, further comprising closing one or more second valves when the second set of branch lines and the second plurality of liquid storage units are filled.Clause 30. The method of any one of clauses 26-29, further comprising closing the one or more valves when the set of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units are emptied.Clause 31. The method of any one of clauses 26-30, wherein the plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.Clause 32. The method of any one of clauses 26-31, wherein the liquid flows from the upper storage section, past the turbine, and to a body of water at the lower storage section.Clause 33. The method of any one of clauses 26-32, wherein the turbine is a turbine pump, wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump the liquid from the lower storage section to the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy.Clause 34. A water storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope, the upper storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope and configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units having a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold a liquid, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the lower storage section; and wherein the liquid is configured to flow from the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the lower storage section under a force of gravity, wherein the liquid at the lower storage section is stored in a water tank.Clause 35. The water storage system of clause 34, wherein the liquid in the water tank is connectable to water hoses for use in firefighting.Clause 36. The water storage system of any one of clauses 34-35, further comprising a pump configured to pump liquid from the lower storage section, through the main line, and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units.Clause 37. The water storage system of any one of clauses 34-36, wherein the liquid flows sequentially from each of the plurality of branch lines.Clause 38. The water storage system of any one of clauses 34-36, wherein the liquid flows simultaneously from all of the plurality of branch lines.Clause 39. A water storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section, the lower storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope and configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units having a flexible membrane to receive and hold a liquid, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the upper storage section; and a pump positioned at or proximate the lower storage section, wherein the pump is operableto pump the liquid from the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units and to the upper storage section to store the liquid, wherein the liquid at the upper storage section is stored in a water tank.Clause 40. The water storage system of clause 39, wherein the liquid in the water tank is connectable to water hoses for use in firefighting.Clause 41. The water storage system of any one of clauses 39-40, wherein the liquid in the upper storage section is configured to flow from the upper storage section and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units at the lower storage section.Clause 42. The water storage system of any one of clauses 39-41, wherein the liquid flows sequentially from each of the plurality of branch lines.Clause 43. The water storage system of any one of clauses 39-42, wherein the liquid flows simultaneously from all of the plurality of branch lines.

[0050] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0051] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. 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 where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0052] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0053] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and / or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall 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 described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0054] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves oneadvantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0055] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0056] Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0057] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees.

[0058] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

[0059] Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the devices described herein need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed devices.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An energy storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope, the upper storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope, the plurality of branch lines configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the lower storage section; and a turbine pump positioned at or proximate the lower storage section, wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the lower storage section and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units to store energy as potential energy of the liquid, and wherein the turbine pump is operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the lower storage section under force of gravity.

2. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the lower storage section is a body of water.

3. The energy storage system of any one of claims 1-2, further comprising a valve between each branch line of the plurality of branch lines, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line of the plurality of branch lines and liquid storage units of the plurality of liquid storage units thereof with the main line, wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the main line.

4. The energy storage system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.

5. The energy storage system of claim 4, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.

6. The energy storage system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the liquid flows sequentially from each of the plurality of branch lines.

7. The energy storage system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the liquid flows simultaneously from all of the plurality of branch lines.

8. An energy storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section, the lower storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope, the plurality of branch lines configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the upper storage section; and a turbine pump positioned at or proximate the lower storage section, wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units and to the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid, wherein the turbine pump is operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section under force of gravity.

9. The energy storage system of claim 8, wherein the upper storage section is a body of water.

10. The energy storage system of any one of claims 8-9, further comprising a valve between each branch line of the plurality of branch lines, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line of the plurality of branch lines and liquid storage units of the plurality of liquid storage units thereof with the main line, whereinthe valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the main line.

11. The energy storage system of any one of claims 8-10, wherein the plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.

12. The energy storage system of claim 11, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.

13. An energy storage system, comprising: an upper storage section comprising a first plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the first plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations on a slope; a first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to each branch line of the upper storage section; a lower storage section comprising a second plurality of branch lines, each branch line of the second plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations on the slope, wherein the lower storage section is at a lower elevation than the upper storage section; a second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to each branch line of the lower storage section; a turbine pump disposed at an elevation below the lower storage section; a main line hydraulically connected to the first plurality of branch lines of the upper storage section and to the turbine pump; and a second header line hydraulically connected to the turbine pump and to the second plurality of branch lines of the lower storage section; wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump liquid from the second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section to the first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to one or more corresponding branch lines of the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy of the liquid; and wherein the turbine pump is operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid from the first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the second plurality of liquid storage units of one or more corresponding branch lines of the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storagesection under force of gravity, the upper storage section and the lower storage section disposed on the slope without modifying a topography of the slope.

14. The energy storage system of claim 13, further comprising a valve between each branch line of the first plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section and the main line, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line and liquid storage units thereof with the main line, and wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the main line.

15. The energy storage system of any one of claims 13-14, further comprising a valve between each branch lines of the second plurality of branch lines in the lower storage section and the second header line, wherein the valve is actuatable to an open position to hydraulically communicate a branch line and liquid storage units thereof with the second header line, and wherein the valve is actuatable to a closed position to hydraulically isolate the branch line and the liquid storage units thereof from the second header line.

16. The energy storage system of any one of claims 13-15, wherein the liquid is water.

17. The energy storage system of any one of claims 13-16, wherein the first plurality of liquid storage units and the second plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.

18. The energy storage system of claim 17, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.

19. The energy storage system of any one of claims 17-18, further comprising a blower above the flexible membrane and operable to flow air into the flexible membrane.

20. The energy storage system of claim 19, further comprising a photovoltaic panel electrically connected to the blower and configured to directly power the blower or indirectly power the blower via a battery.

21. A method of storing energy with an energy storage system, comprising: opening one or more first valves located along a plurality of first branch lines at a lower storage section, the lower storage section positioned along a lower elevation of a slope; emptying a first plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of first branch lines at the lower storage section;pumping liquid from the first plurality of liquid storage units and through the plurality of first of branch lines with a turbine pump at the lower storage section, wherein the liquid is pumped along the slope from the lower elevation to a higher elevation through a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of first branch lines; opening one or more second valves located along a plurality of second branch lines at an upper storage section, the upper storage section positioned along the higher elevation; and filling a second plurality of liquid storage units at the upper storage section with the liquid pumped from the first plurality of liquid storage units to store energy as potential energy of the liquid.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising closing the one or more first valves after the first plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of first branch lines are emptied.

23. The method of any one of claims 21-22, wherein the first plurality of liquid storage units and the second plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the flexible membrane is suspended from a post.

25. The method of any one of claims 21-24, further comprising generating electricity by flowing the liquid from the upper storage section and past the turbine pump at the lower storage section under a force of gravity, wherein the turbine pump is connected to an electric motor / generator.

26. A method of generating energy with an energy storage system, comprising: opening one or more valves located along a set of branch lines at an upper storage section, wherein the upper storage section is positioned along an upper elevation of a slope; flowing a liquid from a plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the set of branch lines at the upper storage section to a main line when the one or more valves are opened; flowing the liquid from the upper storage section through the main line and to a lower storage section at a lower elevation of the slope under a force of gravity; androtating a turbine at the lower storage section with the flow of the liquid from the upper storage section to generate electricity.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising opening one or more second valves located along a second set of branch lines at the lower storage section.

28. The method of any one of claims 26-27, further comprising storing the liquid in a second plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to a second set of branch lines at the lower storage section.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising closing one or more second valves when the second set of branch lines and the second plurality of liquid storage units are filled.

30. The method of any one of claims 26-29, further comprising closing the one or more valves when the set of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units are emptied.

31. The method of any one of claims 26-30, wherein the plurality of liquid storage units include a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold the liquid.

32. The method of any one of claims 26-31, wherein the liquid flows from the upper storage section, past the turbine, and to a body of water at the lower storage section.

33. The method of any one of claims 26-32, wherein the turbine is a turbine pump, wherein the turbine pump is operable to pump the liquid from the lower storage section to the upper storage section to store energy as potential energy.

34. A water storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope, the upper storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope and configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units having a flexible membrane configured to receive and hold a liquid, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section; and a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the lower storage section;wherein the liquid is configured to flow from the plurality of liquid storage units and the plurality of branch lines in the upper storage section to the lower storage section under a force of gravity, wherein the liquid at the lower storage section is stored in a water tank.

35. The water storage system of claim 34, wherein the liquid in the water tank is connectable to water hoses for use in firefighting.

36. The water storage system of any one of claims 34-35, further comprising a pump configured to pump liquid from the lower storage section, through the main line, and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units.

37. The water storage system of any one of claims 34-36, wherein the liquid flows sequentially from each of the plurality of branch lines.

38. The water storage system of any one of claims 34-36, wherein the liquid flows simultaneously from all of the plurality of branch lines.

39. A water storage system, comprising: an upper storage section positioned along a slope; a lower storage section positioned at a lower elevation along the slope than the upper storage section, the lower storage section comprising: a plurality of branch lines disposed at different elevations along the slope and configured to conform to a topography of the slope; and a plurality of liquid storage units having a flexible membrane to receive and hold a liquid, the plurality of liquid storage units hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines; a main line hydraulically connected to the plurality of branch lines and the upper storage section; and a pump positioned at or proximate the lower storage section, wherein the pump is operable to pump the liquid from the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units and to the upper storage section to store the liquid, wherein the liquid at the upper storage section is stored in a water tank.

40. The water storage system of claim 39, wherein the liquid in the water tank is connectable to water hoses for use in firefighting.

41. The water storage system of any one of claims 39-40, wherein the liquid in the upper storage section is configured to flow from the upper storage section and to the plurality of branch lines and the plurality of liquid storage units at the lower storage section.

42. The water storage system of any one of claims 39-41, wherein the liquid flows sequentially from each of the plurality of branch lines.

43. The water storage system of any one of claims 39-42, wherein the liquid flows simultaneously from all of the plurality of branch lines.

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