Environmental Water Energy Storage with On-Site Pumped Hydro
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, are limited in capacity, costly, and require complex and expensive methods for power generation, with geographical constraints and inefficient water transportation.
Innovation Solution
A concrete-enhanced energy storage system that utilizes on-site water sources to store water and compressed gas, incorporating a water pump, desalination, and wastewater treatment units to efficiently recycle water and generate electricity through a hydro generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If advanced batteries are used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive advanced batteries with a low-cost pumped hydro storage system using concrete-enhanced unlined reservoirs. The system uses readily available materials (concrete, earth) to construct storage reservoirs, eliminating the need for expensive battery cells while achieving comparable or superior energy storage capacity at a fraction of the cost
2Quantity of substance
If pumped hydro storage is used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but geographical adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the traditional pumped hydro storage by changing the key parameter of reservoir construction from requiring impermeable geological formations to using concrete-enhanced unlined reservoirs. This parameter change allows the system to be deployed in diverse geographical locations without requiring specific geological conditions, significantly improving geographical adaptability while maintaining large-scale energy storage capacity
3Ease of operation
If water is transported from water source to energy storage system, then energy storage operation is enabled, but water transportation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where the energy storage facility is located directly at the water source. The concrete-enhanced unlined reservoirs are constructed on-site to store water directly from the source, eliminating the need for expensive water transportation infrastructure. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural water source location, converting what would be a cost center (water transport) into a strategic advantage
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 reduces water transportation costs, enhances energy storage capacity, and allows for flexible, efficient, and sustainable energy generation using environmental water sources, suitable for various locations and applications, including emergency and disaster scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a water pump for supplying water from an on-site/nearby water source to the energy storage system
Implementation Method 2
a concrete enhanced energy storage apparatus having one or more energy storage storing water and compressed gas
Implementation Method 3
generate electricity through a hydro generator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for storing energy includes an energy storage apparatus having one or more energy storage storing water and compressed gas; and a water pump for supplying water from an environmental water source to the energy storage. The water source includes oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, spring water, groundwater, and reused water.