Gravity Power energy storage technology could be a boon for alternative energy

Alternative energy has become a major industry in and of itself.

When most people think of alternative energy, their minds are filled with images of solar panels, wind turbines and hydrogen fuel cells. These three represent only a small fraction of the whole industry, however, and are simply the most well known amongst the multitude of renewable sources of power. Other, more obscure sources of energy include geothermal, marine, kinetic and biofuels. There are forms of energy that occupy the fringes of the industry, such a fusion and fission. One of these fringe elements is getting more attention, however, and it is based on one of the fundamental forces of the universe: Gravity.

Gravity is a force that everyone deals with on a daily basis, but few consider it for its uses in the alternative energy industry.

One company, aptly named Gravity Power, has developed new storage technology using the fundamental force and claims that this technology could solve the problems currently facing the industry as a whole. Energy storage is one of the issues that is keeping the rapid acceleration and adoption of alternative energy at bay. There are very few efficient storage techniques currently available, a problem that researchers all over the world have been working to solve. Gravity Power’s approach may give the industry the answer it has been looking for.

The system is comprised of a single piston and a water pump attached to a turbine.

The gravity pulls the piston down, creating a vacuum in the chamber above and pulling water through the pump and the turbine. The turbine then drives a generator, which can be used to store electricity. Gravity Power believes that this system could be a good compliment to wind and solar power.

The company is currently conducting tests regarding the cost of the system. Currently, Gravity Power’s findings indicate that the system is more cost effective the larger it is. A larger system can make better use of the planet’s gravity and produce sufficient charge to sustain larger generators.