High altitude gravity energy storage
The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.
1. A buoyant platform, comprising:
a structural frame having four first struts forming a base in the shape of a square and four second struts extending from respective corners of said square, a top surface at a distal end of each said second strut, said first struts, said second struts and said top surface forming a cube shape and having an interior and eight corners, each said corner of said cube having a hinge to permit said structural frame to convert from a first collapsed position to a second position as said cube shape;
said top surface comprising a plurality of photovoltaic panels;
a gas bag received within said interior when said structural frame is in said second position;
whereby when said structural frame is in said second position, said gas bag contains a buoyant gas therein and said buoyant platform is configured to float in the low stratosphere.