Your High-Rise Building Could Double As A Giant Battery, Researchers Propose

Could your neighbouring high-rise building double as a battery? Well, scientists think so!

A new energy storage concept by researchers wants to turn high-rise buildings in cities around the world into batteries. Researchers at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) have devised a new energy storage concept that could turn skyscrapers into batteries.

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Turning buildings into batteries

In their study published in the journal Energy, IIASA researchers proposed a gravitational-based storage solution that uses lifts and empty apartments in high rises to storage energy.

The "Lift Energy Storage Technology" (LEST) can store energy by lifting "wet sand containers or other high-density materials, which are transported remotely in and out of a lift with autonomous trailer devices," TechXplore reported.

Lift Energy Storage Technology (LEST) (a) system components, (b) not changed and (c) fully charged building, (d) operating on energy storage, (e) electricity generation, or (f) ancillary services mode. Credit: Energy (2022)

Also read:?Rechargeable Battery Made From Molten Salt Can Store Electricity For Months

All high-rise buildings already have lifts, implying that there would be no additional investment required to turn skyscrapers into batteries. The study's lead author, Julian Hunt, explained that they got the idea after "having spent a considerable amount of time going up and down in a lift since recently moving into an apartment on the 14th floor."

How will LEST work?

The basic rationale behind the concept is that most lifts around the world are not always operational. When lifts aren't being used to transport people, they may be used to store and generate electricity.

Over 18 million lifts are currently in operation around the globe. Naturally, many of these sit idly for hours. And lifts also have the power capacity as well as regenerative braking systems to support LEST.

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Also read:?Tesla Researchers Develop Battery Tech That Can Remain Charged For 100 Years

The LEST system relies on weights stored on top of the building (when the system is fully charged) and the bottom of the building (when the system is out of battery). Perhaps empty apartments and corridors may be used to store the energy weight.

What do you think about turning your high-rise into a source of energy? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.

References

Julian David Hunt et al. (2022).?Lift Energy Storage Technology: A solution for decentralized urban energy storage. Energy.?

Staff, S. X. (2022, May 30). Researchers introduce new energy storage concept to turn high-rise buildings into batteries. TechXplore.?