Gravitational potential energy storage system
View Patent ↗Systems and methods are disclosed for using electrical energy to store potential energy during a first period of electrical demand and, thereafter, to convert the stored potential energy into electrical energy that can be supplied to an electrical grid during a second period of electrical demand. During the first period of electrical demand, electrical energy is used to move one or more weight(s) from a first relative position of low potential energy to a second relative position of high potential energy. During time periods of high electrical demand, the system is used to move one or more individual weight(s) from the relative position of high potential energy to the relative position of low potential energy. As each individual weight moves from the position of high potential energy, the motion of the weight is used to cause a generator to generate electrical energy.
1. A potential energy storage system, comprising:
a plurality of shafts having a cross-section configured to receive a weight having a complementary cross-section, each of said shafts further comprising:
a winch having a cable operably coupled thereto;
a weight suspended from said cable at a first predetermined height in a shaft, said first predetermined height corresponding to a first predetermined potential energy;
a generator/motor operably coupled to said winch by a gearbox;
wherein:
said generator/motor is operable to activate said winch to rotate when said motor/generator is operating in motor mode, wherein said rotation of said winch raises said weight from said first height to a second height in said shaft, said second height corresponding to a second predetermined potential energy; and
said generator/motor is operable to couple with said winch as it rotates when said motor/generator is operating in generator mode, wherein said rotation of said winch lowers said weight to said first predetermined height in said shaft;
wherein rotation of said winch and said generator/motor while lowering said weight from said second height to said first height causes said generator/motor to generate a quantity of electrical energy that corresponds to the difference in height of said weight between said first and second heights;
a first weight storage area at said first height, said first storage area being proximate to and extending between two shafts in said plurality of shafts, said first storage area being configured to store a plurality of said discharged weights at said first height; and
a second weight storage area at said second height, said second storage area being proximate to and extending between said two shafts in said plurality of shafts, said second storage area being configured to store a plurality of said charged weights at said second height;
means for transporting discharged weights within said first storage area between said two shafts in said plurality of shafts; and
means for transporting charged weights within said second storage area between said two shafts in said plurality of shafts.
2. The potential energy storage system of claim 1 wherein said weight is releasably secured to said cable and can be attached to, or detached from, said cable at a storage location corresponding to said first height or said second height.
3. The potential energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein a storage area comprise inclined surfaces.
4. The potential energy storage system of claim 3 , wherein a storage area further comprise rails between said two shaft and wherein said weights comprise wheels that are configured to roll on said rails using gravitational force to transport said weights between said two shafts.
5. The potential energy storage system of claim 3 wherein said inclined surface further comprise conveyor belts.
6. The potential energy system of claim 1 , wherein said gearbox is operable to change the rate of raising or lowering said weight to adjust the rate of electrical energy consumption when said generator/motor is operating in motor mode or the rate of electrical energy generation when said generator/motor is operating in said generator mode.
7. The potential energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein said two shafts comprise a rectangular cross-section and wherein said weights comprise a complementary cuboid configuration.
8. The potential energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein said two shafts comprise a circular cross-section and wherein said weights comprise a complementary cylindrical configuration.
9. A potential energy storage system, comprising:
a winch having a cable operably coupled thereto;
a weight suspended from said cable at a first predetermined height in a shaft, said first predetermined height corresponding to a first predetermined potential energy;
a generator/motor operably coupled to said winch by a gearbox;
wherein:
said generator/motor is operable to activate said winch to rotate when said motor/generator is operating in motor mode, wherein said rotation of said winch raises said weight from said first height to a second height in said shaft, said second height corresponding to a second predetermined potential energy; and
said generator/motor is operable to couple with said winch as it rotates when said motor/generator is operating in generator mode, wherein said rotation of said winch lowers said weight to said first predetermined height in said shaft;
wherein rotation of said winch and said generator/motor while lowering said weight from said second height to said first height causes said generator/motor to generate a quantity of electrical energy that corresponds to the difference in height of said weight between said first and second heights;
further comprising a plurality of first weight storage areas in a spaced radial pattern proximate to said shaft at said first height, said storage areas being configured to store a plurality of discharged weights at said first height; and
further comprising a plurality of second weight storage areas in a spaced radial pattern proximate to said shaft at said second height, said second weight storage areas being configured to store a plurality of charged weights at said second height.
10. The potential energy storage system of claim 9 , wherein said weight is releasably secured to said cable and can be attached to, or detached from, said cable at a storage location corresponding to said first height or said second height.
11. The potential energy system of claim 9 , wherein said gearbox is operable to change the rate of raising or lowering said weight to adjust the rate of electrical energy consumption when said generator/motor is operating in motor mode or the rate of electrical energy generation when said generator/motor is operating in said generator mode.