So you know how energy storage is a big issue with a lot of renewable energy? Because the sun doesn’t shine at night, etc. Apparently a solution that is being seriously considered is stacking large concrete blocks up, and then unstacking them to release the stored gravitational energy.
It’s been tested, and it’s a big deal for renewable energy, but I just can’t get over how much it sounds like a videogame exploit. Some speedrunner is going to use it to glitch up to Heaven and kill God, I just know it.
Ok but can somebody please explain how this would work? In some kind of way? I’m not stupid, but I just don’t get much more physics than what I took in high school. You can take all day, this just sounds nuts
There’s another version going around with some more information, but this article explains it well, along with how it compares to other methods. It’s surprisingly simple when you get down to it, I just explained it poorly in the original post.
Basically, surplus energy drives a robotic crane which stacks the blocks up. Then, when energy is needed, the crane takes them off the top of the stack and lets their weight drive a turbine as they make a controlled “fall”. This generates a decent proportion of the energy needed to stack them in the first place. It’s kind of a big rechargeable battery, but made with concrete rather than chemicals.
The company has a functioning prototype and orders to fill for 2019, so this stuff is right around the corner!
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theclumsiestninja 