- #1
matchinu
- 9
- 0
Using Shipping containers as compressed air 'Batteries"
Just joined the site, you have a much more practical captcha system, I am surprised its not more widely implemented.
Anyway! Obviously if you have seen a peak energy demand graph you will notice that the peak energy requirement is from around 6pm to 11pm. A problem the energy suppliers face is providing that peak demand from renewable sources.
Approximately 25 Trilla(?) Watt Hours of energy produced by Wind Energy goes to waste in the U.S each year. (google it, this is my first post, i don't think i can provide links)
I have seen it suggested that renewable energy such as wind and solar can be used to power an air compressor, to compress air into things such as shipping containers. From 6pm to 11pm the air stored in these shipping containers could be released (to drive turbines) to meet the peak demand. This eliminates the problem of not being able to generate enough electricity from renewables when its needed most. This process shifts renewable energy production to a 'on demand' basis such burning fossil fuels.
I had the idea this morning that energy could be generated by pumping air into a chamber filled with water, the resulting bubbles would power a turbine. After thinking about it i realized this idea was impractical as you can't get out more energy out than that would be put into the pump to make the bubbles. This then made me remember about compressing air to generate energy at a later period in time.
Since I know next to nothing about Physics.
In regards to losses of energy, would it be better to:
1 - Release the compressed air to create bubbles in a chamber of water to generate electricity
Or
2 - Release the compressed air to drive a turbine?
Or can you think of a more efficient way to harvest the compressed airs stored potential.
Ps I saw threads about the efficiencys of energy generation in this forums so i figure this is the correct forum if not please move my post or tell me where to go =D
Just joined the site, you have a much more practical captcha system, I am surprised its not more widely implemented.
Anyway! Obviously if you have seen a peak energy demand graph you will notice that the peak energy requirement is from around 6pm to 11pm. A problem the energy suppliers face is providing that peak demand from renewable sources.
Approximately 25 Trilla(?) Watt Hours of energy produced by Wind Energy goes to waste in the U.S each year. (google it, this is my first post, i don't think i can provide links)
I have seen it suggested that renewable energy such as wind and solar can be used to power an air compressor, to compress air into things such as shipping containers. From 6pm to 11pm the air stored in these shipping containers could be released (to drive turbines) to meet the peak demand. This eliminates the problem of not being able to generate enough electricity from renewables when its needed most. This process shifts renewable energy production to a 'on demand' basis such burning fossil fuels.
I had the idea this morning that energy could be generated by pumping air into a chamber filled with water, the resulting bubbles would power a turbine. After thinking about it i realized this idea was impractical as you can't get out more energy out than that would be put into the pump to make the bubbles. This then made me remember about compressing air to generate energy at a later period in time.
Since I know next to nothing about Physics.
In regards to losses of energy, would it be better to:
1 - Release the compressed air to create bubbles in a chamber of water to generate electricity
Or
2 - Release the compressed air to drive a turbine?
Or can you think of a more efficient way to harvest the compressed airs stored potential.
Ps I saw threads about the efficiencys of energy generation in this forums so i figure this is the correct forum if not please move my post or tell me where to go =D