Abstract
This study proposes a design model for conserving and utilizing energy affordably and intermittently considering the wind rush experienced in the patronage of renewable energy sources for cheaper generation of electricity and the solar energy potential especially in continents of Africa and Asia. Essentially, the global quest for sustainable development across every sector is on the rise; hence, the need for a sustainable method of extracting energy cheaply with less wastage and pollution is on the priority list. This research, integrates and formulates different ideologies, factors and variables that have been adopted in previous research studies to create an efficient system. Some of the aforementioned researches includes pumped hydro gravity storage system, Compressed air gravity storage system, suspended weight in abandoned mine shaft, dynamic modelling of gravity energy storage coupled with a PV energy plant and deep ocean gravity energy storage. As an alternative and a modification to these systems, this research is proposing a Combined solar and gravity energy storage system. The design synthesis and computational modelling of the proposed system model were investigated using a constant height and but varying mass. Efficiencies reaching up to 62% was achieved using the chosen design experimental parameters adopted in this work. However, this efficiency can be tremendously improved upon if the design parameters are modified putting certain key factors which are highlighted in the limitation aspect of this research into consideration. Also, it was observed that for a test load of 50 × 103 mA running for 10 h (3600 s), the proposed system will only need to provide a torque of 3.27Nm and a height range of 66.1 × 104 m when a mass of 10 kg is lifted to give out power of 48 kwh. Since gravity storage requires intermittent actions and structured motions, mathematical models were used to analyse the system performance characteristics amongst other important parameters using tools like MATLAB Simscape modelling toolbox, Microsoft excel and Sysml Model software.
Highlights
Renewable energy of any form has been observed over time to have high investment costs and necessitate its operation where its resource is readily available.the major problem after producing the energy is finding the most economical way of storing it due to the its variable nature that most often do not match demand patterns
This research aims to design an integrated solar energy storage system utilizing the potential of gravity using a suspended mass
The alternative gravity storage system is very simple, and all its components are quite reachable in terms of availability in the market
Summary
Renewable energy of any form has been observed over time to have high investment costs and necessitate its operation where its resource is readily available.the major problem after producing the energy is finding the most economical way of storing it due to the its variable nature that most often do not match demand patterns. The nature of usage (intermittency) inherently affects its extensive applications and this performance specification is one complicated characteristics of other forms of renewable energy as continuous delivery of energy is not assured due to some natural and operational alterations. The need for a buffer to utilize judiciously the excess energy in favourable days (days of intense sunlight). This has led to the rapid development of cheap, efficient and reliable storage technologies that will aid full maximization of renewable energy potential and substantial eradication of fossil fuels utilization in temperate regions like Africa
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