South African scientists have designed a novel gravity energy storage system that uses linear electric motors to vertically move multiple solid masses to store and discharge electrical energy. They say its levelized cost of storage (LCOS) is $137.20/MWh, but with efficiency improvements, it could dr Contact online >>
South African scientists have designed a novel gravity energy storage system that uses linear electric motors to vertically move multiple solid masses to store and discharge electrical energy. They say its levelized cost of storage (LCOS) is $137.20/MWh, but with efficiency improvements, it could drop to about $100/MWh
Scientists from Stellenbosch University in South Africa have designed a new gravity energy storage system, based on linear electric machines (LEM), that could be used in decommissioned mines.
“The system is suitable for renewable energy sources in particular wind and solar and is flexible in terms of geographical adaptability,” researcher Morris Mugyema told pv magazine. “The system does not require ropes and rather utilizes linear electric machines which provide better utilization of shafts.”
Linear machines are motors that produce a linear force along their length and without rotating or producing torque like conventional motors. They have high force density, which results in a lower footprint and more adaptability in small spaces.
The linear electric machine-based gravity energy storage system (LEM-GESS) uses linear machines to vertically move multiple solid masses, or pistons, to store and discharge electrical energy. It consists of a piston, a shaft, a translator, a primary mover and a power converter. The power converter synthesizes electrical power to correct standards for the grid during discharge and to the LEM-GESS during the charging cycle
The system operates in two cycles. First, it uses grid electricity to raise pistons to a given height. It then converts it back into electrical energy as the pistons move down the shaft.
“The energy capacity of a complete system is scaled up by adding shafts to the system,” the researchers said. “The shafts are arranged in such a way that more can be added side by side, which makes it flexible and easy to add more storage capacity.”
They found that the 1,000-meter system achieved an LCOS of $ 137.20/MWh. They described this as “very cost competitive the sensitivity analysis highlights that the LCOS of the LEM-GESS is sensitive to CAPEX, efficiency, discount rate and discharge duration.”
The research group introduced the system in “Levelized cost of storage comparison of energy storage systems for use in primary response application,” which was recently published in the Journal of Energy Storage.
“This technology uses solid masses and can achieve high energy density and cycle efficiency which makes it economically viable for specific applications,” the scientists said. “The system can also be used above-ground taking into consideration the technical system height limitations. However, the modular nature of the system would allow easy scale-up in system capacity to meet with the use requirements.”
I think less energy costs could help everyone. It wont cone from one area but many. The holy grail of energy will come but it will take sometime. Ivaee amazine technology coming to the forefront. Will it save us? I think it will but not in the way most think. It will awaken the masses to understand we have to change our destructive ways and that will take time. Reevaluating the entire system of commerce.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
About Central africa gravity energy storage
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Central africa gravity energy storage have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Central africa gravity energy storage for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Central africa gravity energy storage featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
