Blitz Bureau
Researchers in California, USA, have discovered a new way of storing energy – in giant concrete spheres under the sea. This revolutionary renewable energy storage system has recently been confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute of Germany.
The spheres belong to the StEnSea project (Stored Energy in the Sea), and they are hollow concrete structures, weighing 400 tonne and located at a depth of 600 meters in the sea.
Their operation is as simple as it is clever: when they’re empty, they store potential energy thanks to water pressure. When a valve is opened, water rushes in, powers a turbine and generates electricity.
It’s like storing giant batteries in the ocean, and they don’t require modifying the seabed or interfering with marine life.
New revolutionary technology set to change the face of clean power
The design of these spheres isn’t random, it’s meant to integrate without causing environmental impact, and they also serve as a solution to avoid using land space.
These spheres are expected to have a lifespan of 50 to 60 years, with turbines and generators being replaceable every 20 years.
They are estimated to have a total capacity of 817,000 GWh, enough to cover the energy usage of more than 200,000 homes.
The most interesting part of this project is that it will cost $0.051 per kWh stored and installation will cost $177 per kWh of capacity.
The advantages that these spheres have over other renewable energy methods is that they don’t take up surface space, like solar panels or wind turbines do. Also, these spheres could be deployed in coastal areas without generating any kind of urban conflict.
And most importantly, they don’t involve destruction of the environment.
The prototype is still in the testing phase in California, but it has already caught the attention of governments and companies. The United States Department of Energy has already shown interest, and is even planning to develop larger versions, up to 30 meters in diameter!!
According to Dr. Jens Ernst, the project leader, Norway, Portugal and Japan could be the next regions to adopt it, thanks to their deep coastlines.
Compared to systems like lithium batteries or hydraulic pumping, StEnSea offers greater durability, lower impact and above all, lower operating costs. And unlike wind or solar farms, it doesn’t occupy land surface or require large visible infrastructure.
It’s also scalable. As the technology develops, these spheres could work as backup energy storage for moments of low solar or wind production, stabilizing power grids.
It seems the new era of sustainable technologies has already arrived, and StEnSea is leading the way, clean energy, no visible footprint… giant silent batteries under the sea… doesn’t that sound amazing?