A method is provided for supplying alternating current (AC) electricity. The method includes receiving direct current (DC) electricity from a source of electric power at a motorized pump, and converting the DC electricity from the source of electric power to AC electricity. This includes converting the DC electricity to first motive power at the motorized pump to move water from a source location to at least one supply location. The water is supplied from the at least one supply location to a turbine, and kinetic energy of the water is converted to second motive power at the turbine. The second motive power is converted to the AC electricity at an electric generator that is connected to the turbine, and the AC electricity is supplied from the electric generator.

A system for storing and generating power is disclosed. The system comprises a first storage reservoir configured to store a first fluid, a second storage reservoir located at a lower elevation than the first storage reservoir and configured to store a second fluid wherein said second fluid has a higher density than the first fluid, and a pump. In some embodiments a generator may be employed. The pump and the first and the second reservoir are operatively connected such that power is stored by displacing the second fluid in the second storage reservoir by pumping the first fluid from the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir and such that power is generated by allowing the pumped first fluid in the second storage reservoir to exit the second reservoir. The first fluid is generally a liquid.

A system for storing and generating power is disclosed. The system comprises a first storage reservoir configured to store a first fluid, a second storage reservoir located at a lower elevation than the first storage reservoir and configured to store a second fluid wherein said second fluid has a higher density than the first fluid, and a pump. In some embodiments a generator may be employed. The pump and the first and the second reservoir are operatively connected such that power is stored by displacing the second fluid in the second storage reservoir by pumping the first fluid from the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir and such that power is generated by allowing the pumped first fluid in the second storage reservoir to exit the second reservoir. The first fluid is generally a liquid.

Systems for underground energy storage and methods for their construction. Methods include forming a plurality of chambers underground connected to a plurality of multiple flow conduits, the plurality of chambers including an upper chamber and a lower chamber each containing a working fluid, each multiple flow conduit of the plurality of multiple flow conduits comprising an inner tubular segment having a flowbore interior to the inner tubular segment configured to flow the working fluid, and an outer tubular segment containing the inner tubular segment, wherein each multiple flow conduit defines an annulus between the outer tubular segment and the inner tubular segment configured to flow a compressed gas, by drilling a borehole in the earth formation, installing an outer tubular segment in the borehole, cementing the outer tubular segment at a target location, and installing the inner tubular segment inside the outer tubular segment.

An electric generating precipitation collection system comprising a collection tank, a plurality of pipes, a plurality of valves, a piston assembly, and an outlet. The system is configured to collect a liquid, direct the liquid through the pipes and valves to pressurize the liquid with the piston assembly, and eject the pressurized liquid at the outlet. The plurality of pipes and valves are arranged relative to the piston assembly so that a piston can pressurize the liquid in the pipe connected to the outlet. The system may further comprise a generator that converts the force of the pressurized liquid from the outlet into electricity. Further, a collection basin may be included in the system to collect liquid after passing through the generator.

An electric generating precipitation collection system comprising a collection tank, a plurality of pipes, a plurality of valves, a piston assembly, and an outlet. The system is configured to collect a liquid, direct the liquid through the pipes and valves to pressurize the liquid with the piston assembly, and eject the pressurized liquid at the outlet. The plurality of pipes and valves are arranged relative to the piston assembly so that a piston can pressurize the liquid in the pipe connected to the outlet. The system may further comprise a generator that converts the force of the pressurized liquid from the outlet into electricity. Further, a collection basin may be included in the system to collect liquid after passing through the generator.

A water pumping system used for lifting liquids in vertical or near vertical conduits or pipes to a higher elevation at a reduced energy cost. Also, the water pumping system can be used to circulate water between upper and lower elevations to generate hydropower energy at a lower energy cost. The water pumping system includes a water pump, air blowers, an air supply chamber, a lift conduit, a return conduit, a flotation device separation chamber, a plurality of floatation devices, one or more flotation device pushers, a dehydration unit, and two water storage tanks. The lift conduit and return conduit creating a continuous loop in which the flotation devices can circulate and act as a piston in the lifting conduit to elevate the water to higher elevations with reduced energy. The floatation devices include spacer rings and spacer rods. The floatation devices are inserted inside the lift conduit and the return conduit.

A water pumping system used for lifting liquids in vertical or near vertical conduits or pipes to a higher elevation at a reduced energy cost. Also, the water pumping system can be used to circulate water between upper and lower elevations to generate hydropower energy at a lower energy cost. The water pumping system includes a water pump, air blowers, an air supply chamber, a lift conduit, a return conduit, a flotation device separation chamber, a plurality of floatation devices, one or more flotation device pushers, a dehydration unit, and two water storage tanks. The lift conduit and return conduit creating a continuous loop in which the flotation devices can circulate and act as a piston in the lifting conduit to elevate the water to higher elevations with reduced energy. The floatation devices include spacer rings and spacer rods. The floatation devices are inserted inside the lift conduit and the return conduit.

The inventive technology, in particular embodiments thereof, may be described as an apparatus (e.g., a pump) that imparts work to and redirects a fluid, and that features an impeller configured to contact and redirect an impeller inflow along a toroidal flowpath to generate an impeller discharge that has both axial and tangential velocity components, where the axial velocity component is substantially 180 degrees relative to a direction of an impeller inflow, in a meridional plane, the apparatus also featuring a diffuser having a diffuser axis that is aligned with an impeller axis of rotation, the diffuser featuring a diffuser outlet annular radial size that is greater than a diffuser inlet annular radial size; and/or curved diffuser vanes established as part of the diffuser, that redirect the impeller discharge so as to reduce the tangential velocity components.

The inventive technology, in particular embodiments thereof, may be described as an apparatus (e.g., a pump) that imparts work to and redirects a fluid, and that features an impeller configured to contact and redirect an impeller inflow along a toroidal flowpath to generate an impeller discharge that has both axial and tangential velocity components, where the axial velocity component is substantially 180 degrees relative to a direction of an impeller inflow, in a meridional plane, the apparatus also featuring a diffuser having a diffuser axis that is aligned with an impeller axis of rotation, the diffuser featuring a diffuser outlet annular radial size that is greater than a diffuser inlet annular radial size; and/or curved diffuser vanes established as part of the diffuser, that redirect the impeller discharge so as to reduce the tangential velocity components.