Gravity-based batteries

[Ellipse]

I stumble on this interesting article: Gravity-based batteries try to beat their chemical cousins with winches, weights, and mine shafts



Would be interesting to know if it exist for small installations.

 

[Bastian]

I stumble on this interesting article: Gravity-based batteries try to beat their chemical cousins with winches, weights, and mine shafts

Would be interesting to know if it exist for small installations.

Well, with electricity from solar panels, windmills or watermills, one can pump water to some higher tank.
And then (for instance during the night), produce electricity by letting the water go down...
(NB: each energy transformation has its cost ; water friction on the pipes, too. Etc.)

For instance, IIRC, Switzerland buy French nuclear electricity when it's cheap, with it pump water to some upper reservoir (eg. mountain dam) ; and then use the water stored to produce electricity...