Concrete block energy storage technology

How does a concrete block work?

Solar or wind energy is siphoned into one of these tower blocks, and then AI informs the concrete blocks to rise up. Following this, the blocks are then " returned to the ground, and the kinetic energy generated from the falling brick is turned back into electricity," as per the company's own description. Energy Vault concrete block.

Can concrete be used as energy storage?

By tweaking the way cement is made, concrete could double as energy storage—turning roads into EV chargers and storing home energy in foundations. Your future house could have a foundation that’s able to store energy from the solar panels on your roof—without the need for separate batteries.

Why is concrete a thermal energy storage medium?

This enables it to act as a thermal energy storage medium, where excess thermal energy can be captured and released when needed to balance energy supply and demand. Concrete's thermal mass also contributes to energy efficiency in buildings by providing thermal inertia, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce heating and cooling loads.

Can you store green energy in giant concrete blocks?

Finding green energy when the winds are calm and the skies are cloudy has been a challenge. Storing it in giant concrete blocks could be the answer. The Commercial Demonstration Unit lifts blocks weighing 35 tons each. Photograph: Giovanni Frondoni In a Swiss valley, an unusual multi-armed crane lifts two 35-ton concrete blocks high into the air.

What is energy storage and how does it work?

The process is similar to a pumped-storage hydropower plant (HPP), with water substituted with concrete blocks and gravity doing the rest. The energy storage technology has been invented by a Swiss-based startup called Energy Vault, which recently received a USD 110 million investment from Softbank Group. Why storage?

How can engineers optimise concrete-based thermal energy storage systems?

By understanding and leveraging this property, engineers can design and optimise concrete-based thermal energy storage systems to achieve efficient heat storage and release. The specific heat of some of the common substances are summarised in Table 1.