Batteries are necessary for storing energy. In particular, many alternative forms of energy are based on electricity, and thus batteries are crucial for storing energy which may have to be generated at one time, and used at a later time. I am talking solar, wind, tidal, hydro, etc. Unfortunately, chemical batteries are highly toxic and wear out over time. And so I am interested in alternatives to the chemical battery.
One alternative that exists and is in current production is the flywheel battery, which has limitations and so far finds its greatest success in providing Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) in industrial settings. EG: If the electricity fails in an office, a flywheel battery can seamlessly kick in and provide emergency power while computer systems are securely shut down.
But the battery which I hold the highest hopes for is the compressed air battery. In a nutshell, the compressed air battery works like this: A power source forces air into a cylinder, where the compressed air remains stored indefinitely. When energy is required at a later time, the compressed air is released thru a turbine, thus generating electricity.
Now, note that this system does not have to use compressed air to function. It is the compression that is crucial, not the air. You could probably compress one of any number of fluids and/or gasses to achieve the same result. But for the sake of simplicity I will refer to this system as a compressed air battery.
Also, the compression could occur by different means. For instance, a solar panel could electrically power an air compressor. But conceivably, a wind turbine could mechanically compress air, thus negating the need to first generate electricity.
Furthermore, power could be generated from the compressed air both by generating electricity via a turbine, or by generating torque via mechanical pistons (once again bypassing the need to generate electricity).
Compressed air batteries could server different purposes. Smaller, portable cylinders could be used to power compressed air engines and small tools and compressed air vehicles (which already exist) and rifles (which also already exist). Larger, stationary batteries could power machine shops, electric appliances, computers, household lighting, etc.
Air could be compressed via power generated by PV panels, wind turbines, water turbines, human exertion, biodiesel, alcohol, fuel cells and horses.
My favorite systems are ones that utilize as much mechanical power -- and as little electrical power -- as possible. The reason being that every time you convert energy from one form to another, some of that energy is lost. So, the more direct the use, the more efficient the use (roughly, and theoretically -- at least to my mind). But also, mechanical systems are low-tek and thus, in a sense, simpler. I also wonder if mixing hi-tech materials such as metals built in a molecular foundry, and low-tek mechanics such as gears and rods, might produce superior energy systems.
Check it out: On the outback ranch of tomorrow, perhaps a horse will spend the morning walking on a treadmill, which will mechanically charge the compresed air cylinders on the work truck, which is powered by a compressed air engine.
I want to live on that ranch.
One alternative that exists and is in current production is the flywheel battery, which has limitations and so far finds its greatest success in providing Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) in industrial settings. EG: If the electricity fails in an office, a flywheel battery can seamlessly kick in and provide emergency power while computer systems are securely shut down.
But the battery which I hold the highest hopes for is the compressed air battery. In a nutshell, the compressed air battery works like this: A power source forces air into a cylinder, where the compressed air remains stored indefinitely. When energy is required at a later time, the compressed air is released thru a turbine, thus generating electricity.
Now, note that this system does not have to use compressed air to function. It is the compression that is crucial, not the air. You could probably compress one of any number of fluids and/or gasses to achieve the same result. But for the sake of simplicity I will refer to this system as a compressed air battery.
Also, the compression could occur by different means. For instance, a solar panel could electrically power an air compressor. But conceivably, a wind turbine could mechanically compress air, thus negating the need to first generate electricity.
Furthermore, power could be generated from the compressed air both by generating electricity via a turbine, or by generating torque via mechanical pistons (once again bypassing the need to generate electricity).
Compressed air batteries could server different purposes. Smaller, portable cylinders could be used to power compressed air engines and small tools and compressed air vehicles (which already exist) and rifles (which also already exist). Larger, stationary batteries could power machine shops, electric appliances, computers, household lighting, etc.
Air could be compressed via power generated by PV panels, wind turbines, water turbines, human exertion, biodiesel, alcohol, fuel cells and horses.
My favorite systems are ones that utilize as much mechanical power -- and as little electrical power -- as possible. The reason being that every time you convert energy from one form to another, some of that energy is lost. So, the more direct the use, the more efficient the use (roughly, and theoretically -- at least to my mind). But also, mechanical systems are low-tek and thus, in a sense, simpler. I also wonder if mixing hi-tech materials such as metals built in a molecular foundry, and low-tek mechanics such as gears and rods, might produce superior energy systems.
Check it out: On the outback ranch of tomorrow, perhaps a horse will spend the morning walking on a treadmill, which will mechanically charge the compresed air cylinders on the work truck, which is powered by a compressed air engine.
I want to live on that ranch.
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