(https://interestingengineering.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.interestingengineering.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2Fantimony-14.png&w=640&q=75)
New thread for energy storage, focusing on methods
OTHER than batteries, particularly Li-I, since we all know about the pollution problems and resource scarcity issues attached to heavy dependence on this chemistry.
I really like this one because it's fundamentally very low tech and doesn't require microprocessors or complex systems. Basically just a big spinning wheel with high mass and low friction which allow it to keep spinning until you put a load on it to generate electricity. Along with gravity systems like stored hydro, it's a great way to balance the load with intermittent generating systems like solar and wind.
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/china-world-largest-flywheel-energy-storage
World's largest flywheel energy storage system with 30 MW output connected to gridRE
Gravity and giant concrete blocks. (https://www.wired.com/story/energy-vault-gravity-storage/)
Quote from: TDoS on Sep 17, 2024, 02:24 PMGravity and giant concrete blocks. (https://www.wired.com/story/energy-vault-gravity-storage/)
Similar to this is using the Elevators in Skyscrapers to store energy to run he building.
Lift Energy Storage System: Turning skyscrapers into gravity batteries (https://newatlas.com/energy/lift-energy-skyscraper-batteries/)
(https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/2756a3e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1722x1148+0+32/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2Fea%2F45c7a042461f80ef5b0963976a08%2F1-s2.0-S0360544222010052-gr10_lrg.jpg)
RE
DIG, BABY, DIG!!!
(https://www.theassay.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/coal-strip-mine-1.jpg)
Arkansas is notoriously lax with Environmental Protection, so I expect the Strip Miners will have a field day with the Caterpillar Back Hoes and Front End Loaders digging through all the topsoil in this region to get at the Lithium.
Of course, they still need the Diesel to power the Caterpillar heavy equipment.
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/USGS-Finds-Enough-Lithium-to-Meet-Annual-Demand-Nine-Times-Over.html
USGS Finds Enough Lithium to Meet Annual Demand Nine Times Over
RE