Gravity Block Energy Storage for Predictable Grid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The intermittent and unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, poses a challenge for delivering a stable electricity supply to the grid, as existing systems lack effective methods for storing and releasing energy in a predictable manner.
Innovation Solution
A gravity-driven energy storage and delivery system utilizing a crane or elevator cage to move blocks between elevations, converting excess energy into potential energy during peak production hours and generating electricity through kinetic energy when demand is high, ensuring a consistent energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If renewable energy sources (solar, wind) are used for power generation, then clean energy production increases, but energy delivery becomes intermittent and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing excess renewable energy during periods of high production (when solar/wind energy is abundant) by lifting blocks to elevated positions. This pre-stored energy is then released during periods of low production, ensuring continuous and predictable energy delivery to the grid, thus resolving the intermittency issue while maintaining reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If energy is stored by lifting blocks to higher elevation, then potential energy increases for later generation, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the stored potential energy of elevated blocks to automatically generate electricity during demand periods. The gravitational force naturally drives the blocks downward through guide channels, converting potential energy to kinetic energy and then to electrical energy via generators, eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms while maintaining high stored energy capacity.
3Reliability
If blocks are moved vertically to store and generate energy, then energy delivery predictability improves, but infrastructure load varies
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies the counterweight principle by positioning guide channels and support structures to distribute the gravitational load of moving blocks. The tower structure is designed with reinforced sections that balance the dynamic forces generated during block ascent and descent, ensuring that the infrastructure experiences manageable and predictable loads while maintaining consistent energy delivery.
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 allows for the efficient storage and release of energy, stabilizing the electrical grid by providing predictable electricity delivery, effectively addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources and maintaining a constant load on the infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
move one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy (e.g., via the potential energy of the block in the higher elevation)
Implementation Method 2
move one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation under the force of gravity, thereby generating an amount of electricity corresponding to a kinetic energy amount of said one or more blocks
Implementation Method 3
generate electricity (e.g., via the kinetic energy of the block when moved to the lower elevation)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for energy storage and delivery includes operating a pair of elevator cages to move blocks between a first set of rows in an upper section of the frame and a corresponding second set of rows in a lower section of the frame. The elevator cages move blocks from alternating rows of the second set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the first set of rows to store electrical energy corresponding to a potential energy of said blocks and move blocks from alternating rows of the first set of rows to corresponding alternating rows of the second set of rows under a force of gravity to generate electricity via an electric motor-generator electrically coupled to the elevator cages. The elevator cages move said blocks between each of the second set of rows and each of the corresponding first set of rows by an equal vertical distance.