The only thing missing is the Gedunk hound

After my experiences in the past day I needed a good laugh:

http://www.offgridquest.com/energy/167-gravity-battery-energy-storage-concept

BTW, if anyone is wondering why this isn't practical just remember that every time you convert energy from one form to another there is a loss. And that's not the least of it.

Comments

  • solarix
    solarix Solar Expert Posts: 713 ✭✭
    Re: The only thing missing is the Gedunk hound

    Ya, good idea until you start to run the numbers.
    Correct me if i'm wrong but a typical 48V off-grid battery might be 440Ah or 20kwh. Multiply by 2,660 ftlb/wh gives 53 Mftlb. Assuming 4 "gravity batteries" of 100lb, the well depth has to be 132,000 feet deep! - (not including friction losses)
    Good illustration of how much energy it takes to run the modern lifestyle...
  • northerner
    northerner Solar Expert Posts: 492 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Re: The only thing missing is the Gedunk hound

    Here's a way to generate some extra power and good for a laugh!

    http://www.altenergymag.com/emagazine.php?issue_number=06.06.01&article=pedalpower

    With multiple bikes you would just need to invite friends over for power generation parties at your place, for those cloudy days!:D
  • stephendv
    stephendv Solar Expert Posts: 1,571 ✭✭
    Re: The only thing missing is the Gedunk hound

    I was considering a variation on this by building a pumped hydro setup... Only because I need to build a water catchment dam anyway, so was thinking of building 2 dams instead of 1 at different altitudes, but even so the costs are prohibitive. Just the extra trenching + pipes + additional labour + GTI would be more than just buying the equivalent sized lead acid batt.

    Calculations here: http://www.casanogaldelasbrujas.com/blog/2013/01/17/rough-calculations-for-mad-pumped-hydro-idea/
  • AuricTech
    AuricTech Solar Expert Posts: 140 ✭✭
    Re: The only thing missing is the Gedunk hound

    But it works for cuckoo clocks... :roll: