Gravity Assisted Energy Storage System

PROJECT SUMMARY Regions with a high renewable energy capacity sometimes result in power generation beyond the required load. This results in over-generation which is to be dealt with tactfully. Therefore, the grid is saturated with more electrical power than the connected utility requires (suppl

Project Title

Gravity Assisted Energy Storage System

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

PROJECT SUMMARY
Regions with a high renewable energy capacity sometimes result in power generation beyond the required load. This results in over-generation which is to be dealt with tactfully. Therefore, the grid is saturated with more electrical power than the connected utility requires (supply overcomes demand) hence to balance the system, supply is intentionally reduced or cutoff in order to match the load demand.  During this time the renewable sources, specifically wind turbines and Solar farms go unused. This can be counted as a loss or waste since the cost of installation of renewable project has been applied and the means of generation are prepared yet generation is to be purposely terminated to ensure supply demand matching. If the grid is provided with excess electricity than it is consumed, the electrical frequency changes which could lead to disconnection of power plants from grid as they operate within a certain range of frequency. 
Moreover, during peak load hours sometimes the base load generators are not enough to endure the high load demand therefore an additional source of energy is required or load is shed in order to compensate for the inflated demand. Here Energy Vault System can demonstrate its significance and provide Energy at peak load hours. This energy is stored back during off-peak load hours (afternoon and night) which will later be supplied to the grid again when demand exceeds supply (evening).
A grid level storage such as Gravity Assisted Energy Storage System can be installed in IPP sectors where renewables sources such as wind turbines and Solar farms are also installed. Moreover, this would encourage other power producers to replace their carbon emitting generation methods with renewable sources hence reducing the carbon emission in the environment. In the long term this project also offers the potential solution to overcoming load shedding.

Project Objectives

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. To provide a feasible solution for the problem of over generation
2. To introduce a Grid level Battery
3. To be able to overcome peak hour power mismanagement.

Project Implementation Method

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION METHOD
This project comprises of a scaled model of the actual Energy vault system. The height of the model will be around 5-6 feet from ground supported centrally with metallic body structure. The model will consist of crane like arm with a grapple hook at the end. The system is expected to store electrical energy from the grid during off-peak hours when over-generation might occur. The System will utilize the electrical energy to lift concrete blocks using motors mounted at the top of the structure, from the ground to specific height, this is the charging phase. The motors will convert electrical energy to mechanical energy while lifting the block which in turn is converted to gravitational potential energy when block is stacked. As the height of the stacked blocks increases the capacity of the system also increases. The blocks will be stacked in vertical columns up to a specific height and similar columns of stacked blocks will be stacked in circular orientation around the Vault System. Once the full capacity is reached the project will stop working until peak hours arrive this will result the crane system to set down the stacked blocks down to the ground. The motor that previously used electrical energy to lift the blocks will now act as a generator as the weight of the block will pull the machine inputting mechanical power which will generate electrical power, this is the discharging phase. This power will then be sent to the grid for further transmission to the load.

Benefits of the Project

BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT
The project aims to solve the issue of peak hours’ load mismanagement. It provides a solution to the problem of curtailing of renewable sources during over generation scenario. In the long run it might also remedy the causes that lead up to load shedding. Furthermore, it provides an economical solution for storage of energy on a large scale that is far more effective and applicable than any of the existing technologies.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF FINAL DELIVERABLE
The central supporting column of the project will be made up of iron angles in a rectangular orientation that resembles a crane central column. The height of the vertical column is planned to be 5 feet 4 inch. The actual real life project height will vary accordingly to the load system. The higher the height of the vertical column will be the more will be storage capacity of the project. The vertical column will have a head mounted on top which will be the housing of the motor/generator and 4 arm like structures that are separated by 90° apart. Each arm will have a movable claw mechanism. This mechanism is responsible for lifting up and down concrete blocks that will store and provide Energy. The project model is expected to provide 43 Watts of steady power.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

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