11-25-2018, 10:55 PM
Pumped hydro storage currently makes up the largest share of energy storage systems in the world. But finding a good spot to build a regular hydro dam is getting difficult enough. And for pumped hydro, you need 2 big dams in close proximity yet with as much altitude separation as possible - that's damn hard to find. And of course you enough consistent water inflow to at least keep up with evaporation and seepage, which is a very tall order for many places in the world.
These alternate systems with concrete blocks / heavy trains / gravel / etc are interesting because they can be constructed just about anywhere with a steep hill and some empty space. And adding capacity is as simple as adding more blocks.
I think in the future, these mechanical solutions will provide cheap bulk storage, and battery systems will provide expensive but instant response grid stabilization systems.
These alternate systems with concrete blocks / heavy trains / gravel / etc are interesting because they can be constructed just about anywhere with a steep hill and some empty space. And adding capacity is as simple as adding more blocks.
I think in the future, these mechanical solutions will provide cheap bulk storage, and battery systems will provide expensive but instant response grid stabilization systems.