Mechanical Energy Storage Using Compressed Air From Excess Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage and generation methods, including fossil fuels and renewable sources, fail to keep pace with growing energy demands, leading to a need for innovative approaches to store and utilize excess or unutilized energy effectively.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvesting system that transitions an object between depleted and stored energy states, using excess energy to fill a container with air or fluid, which is then used to generate power when needed, without relying on batteries or chemical exchange systems, and is adaptable to various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing fossil fuels and renewable energy sources are used to meet growing energy demands, then current energy requirements can be satisfied, but energy supply fails to keep pace with rapid demand growth
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing excess energy during periods of high generation before it is lost, then making it available during periods of high demand. The energy storage system pre-positiones energy resources to match future demand patterns, transforming the timing mismatch between energy generation and consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter of energy availability by storing energy when supply exceeds demand and releasing it when demand exceeds supply. This parameter transformation converts excess energy at one time into useful energy at another time, effectively increasing overall energy supply capacity without additional generation infrastructure.
2Reliability
If traditional energy storage methods like batteries or chemical exchange systems are used, then energy can be stored for later use, but system complexity and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the excess energy itself to power the storage mechanism rather than requiring separate control systems or complex management infrastructure. The energy storage process is self-regulating, automatically capturing available excess energy and releasing it when needed without complex external control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles with air or fluid as the storage medium, replacing complex electrochemical battery systems with simpler mechanical storage. This approach uses readily available materials and straightforward physical principles to achieve reliable energy storage with reduced system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If excess energy from power systems is dissipated rather than stored, then system operation is simplified, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary energy storage component between the power system and the environment. Instead of directly dissipating excess energy to the environment, the intermediary storage system captures it temporarily, maintaining simple power system operation while preventing energy waste through the intermediate storage mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system efficiently stores and harvests excess energy, reducing waste and providing a scalable, green energy solution that can be applied in different environments, such as water-based systems, by repurposing excess energy from sources like solar, wind, or power grids.
Implementation Method 1
utilize obtained excess or unutilized energy to transition the object to the stored energy state
Implementation Method 2
A method for storing new harvestable energy with excess or unutilized energy includes providing an object configured to be transitioned between at least a depleted energy state and a stored energy state
Data Source
AI summary
A method for storing new harvestable energy with excess or unutilized energy includes providing an object configured to be transitioned between at least a depleted energy state and a stored energy state. Obtained excess or unutilized energy which is utilized to transition the object to the stored energy state. At least a portion of this stored energy is harvested for use when the object is released from the stored energy state and transitions towards the depleted energy state.