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."*
998
Upvotes
6
u/Accomplished-Pie-576 Aug 09 '23
This is not very cool, this is very dumb.
Gravity storage works with one thing Only: WATER!
It is highly inefficient to moove solid objects and then to let gravity do the sole energy generation. the Input to Output ratio is crazy out of whack! Ontop of that, this concept is SIGNIFICANTLY more mechanically complex and has many many of moving parts!
On the other hand, pumping water up a hill/mountain side is significantly easier, storing that water was also easier. You can also let water accelerate a lot faster before you convert the energy with a turbine. Besides the Valves, Turbines and Pumps you dont have any other mooving parts.
This version of gravity storage has been debunked to hell and back. This is prime: "Silicon valley Tech bro" design. I.E. "Completely removed from reality, borderline practical, on only works in principe" design.