Scientists suggest making batteries out of towering structures
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| Scientists suggest making batteries out of towering structures |
Energy storage technologies are becoming more important as a result of the large drop in the cost of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to ensure that the supply and demand of electricity are properly balanced. A revolutionary energy storage concept put out by experts at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) might turn towering buildings into batteries, enhancing the quality of the electricity in urban areas.
Researchers from IIASA presented a unique gravitational-based energy storage system that makes use of elevators and vacant apartments in tall buildings in their study that was recently published in the journal Energy. Wet sand bins or other high-density materials that are remotely pushed in and out of a lift utilising autonomous trailer devices are used in this bizarre idea, which the authors refer to as Lift Energy Storage Technology (LEST). LEST is a fascinating prospect because high-rise buildings already have elevators installed. Thus, there is no need for further investment or space occupied, but instead makes use of what is already there in a creative way to benefit both the electrical grid and the building owner.
Over the past few years, the world's ability to generate electricity through the use of solar energy, wind power, and other renewable technologies has grown significantly. It is predicted that by 2026, this capacity will have increased by more than 60% from 2020 levels. This is equivalent to the whole global power capacity of all fossil and nuclear fuels put together at the moment.
According to the International Energy Agency, until 2026, solar photovoltaics will be responsible for more than half of the increase in global power capacity, or roughly 95% of all renewable energy sources. But in order to move toward a low-or zero-carbon civilization, creative solutions and an energy system alternative to current ones are required. "The study of potential energy, or the production of energy with changes in altitude, has always piqued my interest.
Examples include hydropower, pumped-storage, buoyancy, and gravity energy storage. Recently, both the scientific community and start-ups have paid substantial attention to the idea of gravity energy storage. "Since recently moving into an apartment on the 14th floor, I've spent a lot of time travelling up and down in a lift, which is how the idea for LEST occurred to me," says lead author Julian Hunt, a researcher in the IIASA Sustainable Service Systems Research Group.
"The study of potential energy, or the production of energy with changes in altitude, has always piqued my interest. Examples include hydropower, pumped-storage, buoyancy, and gravity energy storage. Recently, both the scientific community and start-ups have paid substantial attention to the idea of gravity energy storage.
"Since recently moving into an apartment on the 14th floor, I've spent a lot of time travelling up and down in a lift, which is how the idea for LEST occurred to me," says lead author Julian Hunt, a researcher in the IIASA Sustainable Service Systems Research Group.
Just like with every new system, there are still a few things that need to be worked out further before the system can be put into use. Finding space to store the weights that the system needs at both the top of the building and the bottom of the building when the system is discharged is a part of this. In this case, empty apartments or hallways might be good choices.
The ceiling bearing capacity of the existing buildings where the system is installed is another factor to take into account. This refers to the total mass, measured in kilogrammes per square metre, that the ceiling can support without collapsing. However, the ability to store energy where it is most needed, such as in cities, will have a significant positive impact on the energy system and LEST.
Just like with every new system, there are still a few things that need to be worked out further before the system can be put into use. Finding space to store the weights that the system needs at both the top of the building and the bottom of the building when the system is discharged is a part of this. In this case, empty apartments or hallways might be good choices.
The ceiling bearing capacity of the existing buildings where the system is installed is another factor to take into account. This refers to the total mass, measured in kilogrammes per square metre, that the ceiling can support without collapsing. However, the ability to store energy where it is most needed, such as in cities, will have a significant positive impact on the energy system and LEST.
The cost of the power capacity is the biggest obstacle to the viability of a gravity energy storage method, according to the authors. The fact that lifts with regenerative braking systems already have the power capacity is LEST's most significant advantage. Over 18 million elevators are in use worldwide, and a large number of them spend a lot of time stationary. The lifts can be used to store or produce electricity while they are not being used to move people.
"In a future where a significant portion of society's electricity is generated by renewable sources, environmentally friendly and adaptable storage technologies like LEST are expected to grow in importance for society." In order to encourage end users, in this case, high-rise buildings, to share their dispersed storage resources, such as LEST, with the central grid, policymakers and power system regulators must implement measures.
The paper's co-author, Behnam Zakeri, a researcher with the IIASA Integrated Assessment and Climate Change Research Group and co-author of the paper, draws this conclusion: "The coordinated use of such distributed resources reduces the need for investment in large-scale central storage systems."
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