r/Thatsactuallyverycool • u/BitschWack Wonder Apprentice • Aug 09 '23

video China commissions the world's first commercial gravity battery.

*"The principle of operation of a gravitational battery is much simpler than lithium-ion batteries. Basically, it's just a system of cranes that raise and lower concrete blocks.

The design include hoists that lift 30-ton composite blocks using an electric motor. The raised blocks are stacked on top of each other, which creates potential energy. At the moment when the consumer needs energy, the blocks fall under the influence of gravity, and the energy released in this process is collected and sent to where it required. The plant is capable of storing up to 100 MWh of energy and delivering 25 MW of power."*

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u/Gryphontech Aug 09 '23

Isn't that just a hydro dam with extra steps?

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u/brookegravitt Aug 09 '23

Yes. Yes it is. And how do you make concrete? Lots of rock plus lots of water. This is exactly hydro, but with extra steps.

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u/Gryphontech Aug 09 '23

Big downside is all the co2 you create by producing concrete... plus the massive cost, seems like a bad idea overall

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u/brookegravitt Aug 09 '23

The argument OP made was something like "but what about places where it's dry or there isn't water for Hydro" LOL. You have to bring the water to make the concrete, right? lol.

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u/[deleted] Aug 10 '23

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u/brookegravitt Aug 10 '23

The point being if you are moving water to make concrete….. just do hydro. Thus, this is like hydro, with extra steps and materials.

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u/[deleted] Aug 10 '23

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u/brookegravitt Aug 10 '23

You don’t understand how hydroelectric power works, obviously. Transmission lines carry electricity very long distances. The amount of water you need to make the concrete also has to be carried to build the structure, as well as the blocks. Everyone is telling you that this is a solved problem already. Storing potential energy in suspended blocks isn’t new, either. This is how gravity fed counterweights in certain types of gearing has worked for centuries. And how elevator counterweights work. What you’re seeing is a cool CGI concept. Come back and post an update when you see it widespread everywhere as a real, built solution though.