Engineers' Views on Storing Solar Energy as Potential Energy

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    Electricity
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of storing solar energy as gravitational potential energy, specifically through systems that lift heavy blocks or weights. Participants explore the feasibility and practical implementation of this idea, considering various engineering perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using gravitational potential energy storage by lifting heavy blocks as a method to store energy from solar panels.
  • Another participant acknowledges the concept but emphasizes the need for calculations regarding the mass and height involved in such a system.
  • Questions arise about whether this method of energy storage is currently being implemented anywhere.
  • It is noted that while similar concepts exist, such as using water for energy storage, the specific method of using weights has not been widely adopted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of interest and skepticism regarding the practicality of using weights for energy storage, with some agreeing on the need for calculations while others question existing implementations.

Citory
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Store energy from solar panels in form of gravitational potential energy.
For example: build a system which will lift a very heavy block. When you need energy, you just get down the block
What do engineers think about that?
 
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It works, but you should calculate how much mass and how high.
 
Is it created somewhere?
 
Citory said:
Is it created somewhere?
It is done with water, but not with weights.
 

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