GRAVITY-BASED ENERGY-STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A system for harvesting, storing, and/or generating energy includes a subsurface structure supporting machinery to convert received energy into potential energy, store that potential energy, and later convert that potential energy into electrical energy. The system includes one or more buoyant chambers that support the subsurface structure and are maintained with an internal pressure that is approximately equal to the ambient pressure at their deployed depth. The system is anchored to the seafloor with one or more mooring lines. Suspended from the subsurface structure are one or more weights that are hoisted up or lowered down by one or more winches comprising a spooling drum, and one or more motors and/or one or more motor/generators. The system is deployed in deep water and close to load centers and sources of electrical power that preferably is generated by ocean-based renewable energy systems such as wind, waves and water currents.