Is it electrical energy you wish to convert / store?

Edited May 16, 20224 yr by Nickfromwales

Hi @Nickfromwales

 

Yes looking at storing excess PV energy in a small capacity for use over night.

 

 

Wow! That's not exactly discreet

Moving parts and maintenance? Lifespan? And why not batteries?  

44 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Wow! That's not exactly discreet

Moving parts and maintenance? Lifespan? And why not batteries?  

Yes, most of this is on my list of questions.... also noise issues,kW output/input rates and cost!

 

I read they were suggesting the thing should last about 50 years 

 

I await a response from France.

Why not buy a cheap radial fan, tape it to roof of car.

Wire it to a small travel kettle. Monitor volts and amps at different road speeds.

Then you will see just how piss poor it will be.

3 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

Why not buy a cheap radial fan, tape it to roof of car.

Wire it to a small travel kettle. Monitor volts and amps at different road speeds.

Then you will see just how piss poor it will be.

I understand it uses about 100m3? at 300psi? 

24 minutes ago, Marvin said:

I understand it uses about 100m3? at 300psi? 

Where did you see that, I would want to write to them about it.

 

3 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

Where did you see that, I would want to write to them about it.

 

Hi @SteamyTea

Either from MDi in France, or Luxembourg or Australia, or on their YouTube videos, can't remember, but it is something I will be asking them to clarify.

Imagine the noise of a 1kW compressor running for 7 hours to charge it.

 

Then imagine a 1kW compressed air generator running for 7 hours to discharge it.

 

 

+1 to what's wrong with batteries?

 

I always thought the most bulletproof mechanical system for this sort of thing was just a shaft with a big lump of concrete on a winch. Winch it up when you've got electricity, then let it fall down when you need it. A 3-phase motor + inverter and you're done. 

 

Or go big and build a dam and just pump 1000's of gallons of water into a lake and then use hydro.

 

Maybe not so practical for a small house  

56 minutes ago, SuperPav said:

Winch it up when you've got electricity

You need lots of power to to lift it up. Microgeneration does not always supply lots of power.

Told by MDI that MDI Airwall not available in this country yet.

Hi @Nickfromwales, @ProDave, @SuperPav et al, 

 

I am not sure that a small scale version of this would work but the theory seems to work in practice on l large scale. i.e. 60 megawatts: 

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-18/china-eyes-compressed-air-as-battery-competitor-in-energy-storage

 

My thoughts were ( relating tanks to batteries) that once full the tanks don't loose a little energy every month unless topped up, you can fill and empty them as many times as you like, the tanks are expected to last 50 years, and so on. 

 

As for the system used, it was first invented for cars.

 

Time will tell.

Plenty of different ways to store energy, and lifting weight or pumping ( anything ) seem valid tbh, just cost and practicality vs longevity for key driving factors afaic. 

9 hours ago, Marvin said:

you can fill and empty them as many times as you like, the tanks are expected to last 50 years, and so on. 

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure. Pressure vessels aren't everlasting and at the very least are likely to require statutory inspection under the PVD/PED , if not exchange and/or nondestructive or hydraulic test...

1 hour ago, dpmiller said:

require statutory inspection under the PVD/PED

Yes. Our compressor and tank was checked, every year I think.

The small portable one was ok, think it was under 15 lt.

Thanks for the comments.

 

Good to consider all the negatives for a broader picture...