« Final Swobo hack | Main | Cisco buys Pure networks »
July 28, 2008
The thermodynamics of energy storage
One of the big problems with any renewable energy source comes in syncing the production with demand. Wind for example produces power when the wind blows. That is not always when the power is needed. Most energy storage mechanisms are expensive and require special materials (batteries, ultracapacitors, etc.). Wikipedia has a good explanation of all the major technologies implemented on the grid today. What about simpler ones? One idea is to compress air and have the thing drive a turbine to generate electricity on the way out. TOD did a total review of the thermodynamics of that reaction yesterday. Doesn't look good, but in an environment where the electricity is going to go waste anyway (say extra wind power), then efficiency is less important. Today pumped hydro storage is used widely to load balance hydro dams.
what about a consumer version of this???
Posted by Martin at July 28, 2008 5:37 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.nwventurevoice.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/3166
Comments
Interesting idea. Could also be a great use for household grey water.
Posted by: Jason Aramburu 
at July 29, 2008 9:34 AM
Very interesting, in times like this ideas like are always welcome. Where could obtain more info about this subject?
Posted by: Catalyst Commercial at July 31, 2008 8:11 AM
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)