What if one of the keys to ensure that the energy supply of the future is at the bottom of the sea? Not in the form Submarine wiring Or Floating sitesBut immersed in large depths by gigantic concrete spheres. This is unusual, but the German project proposes stencia.
The Franhofer IEE Institute created the system, which uses the principle of pumping storage to suit the marine environment. Objective: Store renewable energy efficiently and is already in large quantities to respond to moments already needed. Or act as a support plan for chaos such as what happened Last Monday Spain’s blackout.
How do these underwater batteries work
Each sphere is about 9 meters wide, weighs 400 tonnes and placed at the bottom of the seaAbout 500 or 600 meters deep. When there is plenty of energy – for example, it produces more electricity than a lot of air and air turbines – the energy is used to remove water from the interior of the sphere.
Then, when the electricity is needed, Water re -provides the power of sea pressure. In doing so, move the turbine that creates the electricity.
This is a simple idea: use the water and weight of the sea to save energy and restore it when needed. Not all occupied the land or changed the landscape.
Clean energy and durable storage
The spheres are designed Works for more than half a century. Its concrete system is very resistant, and it is necessary to refresh some mechanical components (such as turbine or generators) every 20 years. This system does not depend on deficit resources or creates toxic waste.
Those responsible for the project are assessing it Its global savings capacity may reach 820,000 gigawat hours. On the basis of practicality, it will allow Providing more than 200,000 houses Large by load. In addition, underwater seats in Europe may provide four -time capacity to all pumping storage plants in Germany today.
A system that does not have visual impact or emission
This type of energy solution is not only its durability but also its low environmental impact. When it is under the water, it does not interfere with the areas where it lives, or requires the works that are visible on the surface. Only using water and intensity, Does not form emission during operation.
After the first phase of trials in the Lake of Constance, Fraunhofer IEE group already produces its sequence on California beachIt will be checked in real open sea conditions.
