ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Curiosity Stream Two Innovative Energy Storing Methods | Engineering The Future
In the world of electricity, supply and demand can change rapidly. For instance, a solar farm’s output can drop suddenly when a cloud passes overhead. To keep the electrical grid stable, engineers need systems that can respond quickly. Inventor Peter Frankle, known for his work in renewable energy, has been at the forefront of addressing this challenge. He has developed innovative wind turbines and the first commercial-scale tidal turbine, making him well-equipped to tackle energy storage issues.
Peter’s interest in energy storage was sparked by the mechanism of a grandfather clock in his home. This clock uses heavy weights that fall due to gravity, storing energy that powers the clock as they descend. This 300-year-old mechanism can hold energy for extended periods without loss. Inspired by this, Peter envisioned scaling up the concept to store large amounts of energy. He founded Gravitricity to explore this idea, focusing on building underground energy storage units.
Peter appointed engineer Miles Franklin to lead the project in Scotland. The team explored using existing mine shafts and considered creating new ones for energy storage. Before going underground, they built a tower prototype to demonstrate rapid power generation. They filled steel containers with over 50 tons of ballast, storing energy by lifting and releasing it. The prototype aimed to show how quickly energy could be returned to the grid when needed.
Senior test engineer Jill McPherson highlighted the importance of rapid response, especially as we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Traditional power sources provide stability, but renewables require new solutions. The goal was to achieve full power output in under a second to ensure grid safety.
The initial tests showed fluctuations in power supply, prompting the team to refine their approach. After a month of testing, they developed a method to smooth out power output by applying forces that counteract cable oscillations. They successfully achieved a smooth power output, going from zero to full power in just 0.96 seconds. This marked a significant improvement over traditional energy storage systems.
In July 2021, Peter Frankle visited the Scottish site to see the prototype in action. With the successful demonstration, he plans to develop systems that are 500 meters deep and 6 meters in diameter. He believes gravity-based energy storage could play a crucial role in expanding the use of renewable energy, with a typical system capable of powering 13,000 homes for two hours.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, a startup called Energy Vault is working on a different type of gravity battery. CEO Robert Pone aims to make renewable energy more affordable than fossil fuels, targeting storage costs between 3 and 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. Energy Vault designed a crane with six arms to lift and stack heavy bricks for energy storage. To release the energy, the crane lowers the bricks back to the ground.
They faced challenges with the pendulum effect when lifting heavy objects, which affects precision. To address this, they developed an algorithm to predict and counteract the swinging motion. Tests with modified cranes and concrete barrels showed the software’s ability to maintain consistent velocity and precision.
In January 2021, construction began on a full-size crane. The project involved assembling a 660-foot high tower and three rotating platforms called jibs, each weighing 130 tons. The team designed a special system to maneuver these massive components. Once assembled, the crane’s arms supported transport trolleys, enabling significant power generation for energy discharge.
These innovative approaches to energy storage highlight the potential for mechanical engineering to support the transition to renewable energy. By harnessing gravity, both Gravitricity and Energy Vault are paving the way for more reliable and efficient energy storage solutions.
Research the two energy storage methods discussed in the article: Gravitricity’s underground energy storage and Energy Vault’s gravity battery. Create a comparative analysis that highlights the strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications of each method. Present your findings in a short presentation to your peers, focusing on how each method contributes to renewable energy solutions.
Using materials like cardboard, weights, and string, design a small-scale prototype that mimics the principles of gravity-based energy storage. Work in groups to build your model, and then demonstrate how it stores and releases energy. Discuss the challenges you faced during the design process and how you overcame them.
Select a region or country that could benefit from implementing gravity-based energy storage systems. Conduct a case study to explore the potential impact on the local energy grid, economic benefits, and environmental considerations. Write a report summarizing your findings and propose a plan for integrating these systems into the region’s energy infrastructure.
Participate in a structured debate on the topic: “Gravity-based energy storage is the most viable solution for future energy needs.” Prepare arguments for and against the statement, considering factors such as cost, scalability, and technological feasibility. Engage with your classmates in a lively discussion to explore different perspectives on the future of energy storage.
Arrange an interview with a professional in the field of renewable energy or mechanical engineering. Prepare questions about the challenges and opportunities in developing gravity-based energy storage systems. Record the interview and share insights with your class, highlighting key takeaways and potential career paths in this innovative field.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] The supply and demand of electricity can change very suddenly, such as the power from a solar farm when a big cloud drifts overhead. To keep the grid stable, engineers must build systems that can respond rapidly. Inventor Peter Frankle is a pioneer of renewable energy, creating novel wind turbines and the world’s first commercial-scale tidal turbine, making him well-placed to understand the need to solve this problem.
Peter became interested in energy storage and sought clever ways to use mechanical engineering for this purpose. He was fascinated by the mechanism inside a grandfather clock in his home, which has heavy weights that fall under the influence of gravity but are held in place by wires connected to the mechanism. By winding the clock, he raises the weights, storing energy that can be released to power the clock. This clock is 300 years old, and it can hold energy for a long time without loss. However, when the clock is started, the pendulum swings, and the weights slowly descend, demonstrating a durable form of energy storage.
Peter’s idea was to scale up the grandfather clock mechanism to store large amounts of energy. To turn this concept into reality, he founded Gravitricity and aimed to build energy storage units underground. He appointed engineer Miles Franklin to oversee the project in Scotland while he self-isolated in London. To store significant energy, a lot of mass or height is needed, so going underground is advantageous. This approach allows for energy storage without interference from weather and other issues.
The team explored existing mine shafts and the possibility of sinking new shafts specifically for energy storage. Before going underground, Miles built a tower prototype to demonstrate rapid power generation. They filled two steel containers with over 50 tons of high-density ballast, which would store energy when lifted and release it when lowered. The 30-ton tower was then secured onto the containers.
Once assembled, they were ready to store energy for the first time. The engineering team was on-site, and there was some tension as they prepared to lift the weights. They used power from the grid to raise the weights and charge the system. When the weight reached the top of the tower, the system was fully charged, allowing them to hold that energy for as long as needed. However, the challenge was how quickly they could return power to the grid when required.
Senior test engineer Jill McPherson emphasized the importance of this capability, especially during the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. With conventional power, large generators provide stability, but renewable energy sources do not offer the same reliability. The goal was to go from zero to full power within a second to ensure safe operation on the grid.
The weight was lowered, pulling down on a steel rope that turned a winch, which then generated electricity. While the tower successfully generated electricity, the power supply fluctuated too much initially. The team needed to find solutions to generate a smooth power supply quickly. Lowering a 50-ton weight in a fraction of a second involves complex mathematical modeling and analysis of dynamics.
After a month of testing, Miles and Jill developed a plan. They aimed to apply a force that cancels out oscillations in the cable for smoother power output. In their tests, they achieved a much smoother power output, going from zero to full power in 0.96 seconds. Gravitricity’s prototype demonstrated its ability to respond rapidly to grid demands, a significant improvement over traditional pump storage systems.
In July 2021, Peter Frankle visited Scotland to see the tower for the first time. With the prototype proving his theory, Peter has ambitious plans for the next stage of his energy storage system, aiming for systems that are 500 meters deep and 6 meters in diameter. He believes gravity-based energy storage could significantly facilitate the wider use of intermittent renewables, with a typical system capable of supplying electricity to 13,000 homes for two hours.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, a startup called Energy Vault is developing another type of gravity battery. CEO Robert Pone recognized that to achieve 100% renewable power, they needed to undercut the price of electricity generated by fossil fuels. The goal was to target storage costs between 3 and 4 cents per kilowatt-hour to compete effectively.
Energy Vault designed a crane with six arms to lift heavy bricks and stack them for energy storage. To release the stored energy, the crane lowers the bricks back to the ground. They built a quarter-scale system to address challenges, particularly the pendulum effect when lifting heavy objects. This effect can hinder precision placement, which is crucial when moving large weights.
To solve this, they developed an algorithm to predict and counteract the swinging motion of the weights. The team tested the algorithm using modified cranes and concrete barrels, successfully demonstrating the software’s ability to maintain consistent velocity and precision.
In January 2021, work began on building the full-size crane. The construction involved assembling a 660-foot high tower and three rotating platforms called jibs. Each jib weighs 130 tons, and maneuvering them required a specially designed system. Once the jibs were in place, the team assembled the arms that support the transport trolleys, enabling the crane to generate significant power for energy discharge.
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This version removes any unnecessary details while maintaining the core information about the projects and technologies discussed.
Energy – The capacity to do work or produce change, often measured in joules or kilowatt-hours in physics and engineering contexts. – The energy required to lift the satellite into orbit was calculated using the rocket’s thrust and fuel efficiency.
Storage – The method or process of retaining information, data, or energy for future use, often involving physical or digital systems. – Engineers are developing advanced battery storage systems to improve the efficiency of solar power plants.
Gravity – A natural phenomenon by which all things with mass or energy are brought toward one another, including planets, stars, and galaxies. – The engineers had to account for the effects of gravity when designing the structural supports for the bridge.
Renewable – Referring to a resource or energy source that is naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power. – The university’s engineering department is focusing on renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, and systems. – The engineering team successfully developed a new composite material that is both lightweight and durable.
Power – The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred, often measured in watts in the context of electrical and mechanical systems. – The power output of the wind turbine was sufficient to supply electricity to the entire campus.
Prototype – An initial model or sample of a product used to test and refine design concepts before mass production. – The engineering students built a prototype of their solar-powered vehicle to test its efficiency and performance.
Oscillations – Repeated variations or fluctuations in a system, often in the context of mechanical or electrical systems. – The study of oscillations in the suspension system helped improve the vehicle’s ride comfort and stability.
Systems – Interconnected components that work together to perform a specific function or achieve a particular goal, often analyzed in engineering and physics. – The systems engineering approach was crucial in integrating the various subsystems of the spacecraft.
Turbines – Machines that convert fluid flow into mechanical energy, commonly used in power generation and propulsion systems. – The design of the new wind turbines increased their efficiency by 20%, making them more viable for large-scale energy production.
