Storing unsteady energy, like photovoltaically generated electric energy, as potential energy

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to store fluctuating photovoltaic energy as potential energy by lifting masses, providing a quantitative overview and discussing applications and harvesting methods.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to store unsteady solar energy as potential energy, with practical applications and methods for energy harvesting.

Findings

Feasible method to convert photovoltaic energy into potential energy

Quantitative analysis of energy storage capacity

Discussion of practical applications and harvesting techniques

Abstract

A proposal to store unsteady energy in potential energy via lifting masses with a rough quantitative overview. Some applications and methods to harvest the potential energy are also given. A focus is put on photovoltaically generated energy.