Couldn’t you get more energy density with compressed air? That way the entire volume of your warehouse is storing energy at the same time.
I’m guessing they did at least a minimal assessment of that. :)
Love clever and simple stuff like this.
It’s kinda funny that just stacking rocks is an efficient energy storage solution.
That’s why the aliens built the pyramids!!1!!! To store energy for their perpetual motion time cube!
/s
Wasn’t this already debunked as a poor replacement for pumped storage hydro electric? The blocks and the things moving them will always have more wear than water and turbines.
Recycling lithium ion batteries isn’t easy either though, and you might not have the geography for hydro.
It’s not really a battery killer at all. It would never fit or be useful in a car, phone or anything portable. It’s more of a possible replacement to pumped-storage hydroelectric.
Thats not what they’re using it for. This is an alternative to pumped hydro or big lithium arrays.
Batteries are increasingly used for large scale storage now, especially with renewables becoming more prevalent.