Stacked block energy storage

How efficient is a concrete stacking system?

The round-trip efficiency of the system, from stacking to unstacking, is about 85% — roughly on par with lithium-ion batteries, which offer up to 90%. Stacking concrete blocks. Photo: Energy Vault The idea seems quite simple once you see it.

Could concrete blocks be the most expensive part of a Energy Tower?

Concrete blocks could potentially be the most expensive component in an Energy Tower. Although concrete is cheaper than alternatives like lithium-ion batteries, Energy Vault would need a large quantity of concrete to construct hundreds of 35-metric-ton blocks. So Pedretti explored another solution.

How much energy does a stacked drum store?

This means that one drum stacked on another one has a potential energy of 5,708 joules. That might seem like a bunch of energy, but your smartphone battery can store about 20,000 joules (crazy but true). But wait! If I stack another drum? This second drum will have a stored energy that is twice that of the first one, since it will be twice as high.

How much energy is stored in concrete blocks?

Its sad, that IEEE published the number of 35 MWh stored in those concrete blocks. Just as a reminder: when lifting 100 tons by 100 meter the amount of stored energy is 100 Mega Joule or somewhat less that 30 kWh. (or 1/3 of a tesla battery);1 KWh is 3.6 Mega Joule.

Can energy storage be stored by hefting heavy loads?

It's meant to prove that renewable energy can be stored by hefting heavy loads and dispatched by releasing them. Energy Vault, the Swiss company that built the structure, has already begun a test program that will lead to its first commercial deployments in 2021. At least one competitor, Gravitricity, in Scotland, is nearing the same point.

How are concrete blocks stacked?

The concrete blocks are slowly hoisted upwards by motors powered with electricity from the Swiss power grid. For a few seconds they hang in the warm September air, then the steel cables holding the blocks start to unspool and they begin their slow descent to join the few dozen similar blocks stacked at the foot of the tower.