A “battery” is any device that stores electrical energy so it can be used later. To Elon Musk, a battery is cylindrical device with an anode and a cathode inside. It is a pretty effective energy storage device, but but can only supply power for about 4 hours.
Pumped hydro is another energy storage solution. Pump water uphill when demand is low; let it flow downhill to spin turbines when demand is high. In theory, the water can remain in the upper storage area for weeks or even months, but the total energy available is limited by how large a volume of water is stored.
Quidnet Energy is one of many companies being backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the energy innovation organization founded by Bill Gates. It takes the fracking technology developed by the oil and gas industries and repurposes it to store energy. Here’s how the company describes the process, which it calls…
High Pressure Water Energy Storage Coming To San Antonio
