Viable Storage Option In The Offing?

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kme

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http://seekingalpha.com/instablog/200555-qualitystocks/212919-dais-analytic-corp-dlyt-receives-patent-for-prototype-of-energy-storage-product-with-multiple-potential-infrastructure-applications

or maybe.....

http://www.kolibri-ag.com/en/kolibripack1.html

Can`t get prices - or availability yet though :(

There`s always flywheels:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-flywheel-design

But the idea of a very heavy lump of very dense material, with a surface speed approaching the sound barrier ( spinning >20,000 rpm) - in the same locale as my home? Don`t think so, ta very much.

 
I know, seriously, that a lot of people store some of their excess as hot water - but that doesn`t help run the lights at night!

I`m thinking that anyone who can come up with a viable, cost effective way to store surplus will make a LOT of money.

So my first idea is to get a pair of IBC containers - one above the other.

you could fill `the bottom one with rainwater - added "green" credential.

during high yield / low use, pump the water into the higher container.

During low yield / high use, run it back down through a small hydro generator. ( essentially, a micro "pumped storage" system)

Just got to work out the logistics, and characteristics. Wouldn`t be surprised to find it is mightily inefficient though :slap

 
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I think you'll find that your idea of pumped storage hydroelectric power has already been done at Dinorwig ;)

From what I know its mainly used to fulfil short term demands - such as 1000000s of kettles going on after televised public events, as its the quickest off to full output power station!

 
so the second box is a battery, a charge controller and a inverter? or am i being silly.

You could use that with E7, like some people have been.  

 
If you want to see a PROPER flywheel storage system take a look at what's at the JET project (near where I used to live) 

http://www.efda.org/fusion/focus-on/jet’s-flywheels/

It's used to power short, high power pulses of the Jet tokamak

Typically it takes 20 minutes to run the flywheels up to speed, and that then powers a 20 second pulse on the machine, then another 20 minute run up.

I once heard someone say if the flywheels were to come off their axes at full speed, they wouldn't stop until at least Reading.

 
I know of some PV installs in Spain in slightly remote areas where there is no grid/mains supply so the PV is the only source of power for some villas. They have a load of expensive batteries to store the power.

 
Batteries - yup. V. Expensive, large, possibly messy; and limited cyclic lifespan.

There is new battery technology in the offing; but that is likely to be damn expensive ( see the links in the first post!)

Wozz - what "second box" mate?

The IBC containers are 1000 litre storage vessels, approx 3`6" square ( 1000mm ish).

You`d need two - a supply and a collector.

Noz - yes, I know they do a commercial version. I`m wondering what the expected output / input figures would be, for a given height of the upper tank. I might look at the maths later, if I can get chance.....................

 
I read a well researched discussion on another forum of solar PV battery storage.

It went  into detail about the storage efficiency, lifetime of the batteries, and costs of the batteries.

It concluded the "cost" of storing the power ranged from 7p to 15p per KWh

That to my mind does not make it viable for ordinary folk with a grid connection. Dumping excess into water heating while not "storage" of the power, offsets other energy costs as your water heating fuel bills reduce in direct proportion.  

I think battery storage is only viable for those (very few) folk who live so remote they don't have a grid connection. THEN you can compare the cost of stored solar PV from a battery bank with say running a diesel generator. Then it would be a viable option. 

 
Batteries - yup. V. Expensive, large, possibly messy; and limited cyclic lifespan.

There is new battery technology in the offing; but that is likely to be damn expensive ( see the links in the first post!)

Wozz - what "second box" mate?

The IBC containers are 1000 litre storage vessels, approx 3`6" square ( 1000mm ish).

You`d need two - a supply and a collector.

Noz - yes, I know they do a commercial version. I`m wondering what the expected output / input figures would be, for a given height of the upper tank. I might look at the maths later, if I can get chance.....................
I think it's a little bit bigger than a commercial version.... they dug the insides of a mountain out for it :eek:

 
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