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 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.

Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and/or adjustment, of that same computational work load.

Disclosed is an apparatus that adapts the rate of its computational work to match the availability of energy harvested from a stochastic energy source; and, with respect to some types of energy harvesting, regulates the rate of energy capture, the rate of energy conversion, and the rate of consumption of stored potential energy, through its alteration, regulation, and/or adjustment, of that same computational work load.

A pumped hydro energy storage system and method are disclosed. The system employs a high-density fluid, such as a slurry, to improve power output. In some cases, the fluid is a binary fluid system, with a high-density fluid and a lower-density fluid, such as water. The lower-density fluid flows through the turbine unit of the system, avoiding the need to modify the system to handle the high-density fluid, while achieving improved power output. The system can be configured with one atmospheric reservoir for a higher-density fluid and another one for a lighter-density fluid. Each of them is connected to a pressurized cavity which is filled with the higher-density or lighter-density fluid. The atmospheric tanks may be at the same elevation, or the tank with high density fluid might be higher for increased energy output. For example, the system may be placed on a topographical elevation. The system further includes a fire extinguishing sub-system to utilize the water or lower-density fluid to extinguish fires occurring in the proximity thereof.

A pumped hydro energy storage system and method are disclosed. The system employs a high-density fluid, such as a slurry, to improve power output. In some cases, the fluid is a binary fluid system, with a high-density fluid and a lower-density fluid, such as water. The lower-density fluid flows through the turbine unit of the system, avoiding the need to modify the system to handle the high-density fluid, while achieving improved power output. The system can be configured with one atmospheric reservoir for a higher-density fluid and another one for a lighter-density fluid. Each of them is connected to a pressurized cavity which is filled with the higher-density or lighter-density fluid. The atmospheric tanks may be at the same elevation, or the tank with high density fluid might be higher for increased energy output. For example, the system may be placed on a topographical elevation. The system further includes a fire extinguishing sub-system to utilize the water or lower-density fluid to extinguish fires occurring in the proximity thereof.

In a general aspect, a system stores energy underwater. In some aspects, the system includes a base having a bottom side resting on an underwater floor and a top side that includes recessed surfaces. The system also includes domed walls extending from the top side of the base to form respective fluid chambers. Each of the fluid chambers includes an interior volume that is at least partially defined by one of the recessed surfaces and an interior surface of one of the domed walls. The system additionally includes a pump and a generator. The pump is configured to transport water from the fluid chambers toward an exterior environment of the system. The generator is configured to generate electrical energy in response to water flowing from the exterior environment toward the fluid chambers.

In a general aspect, a system stores energy underwater. In some aspects, the system includes a base having a bottom side resting on an underwater floor and a top side that includes recessed surfaces. The system also includes domed walls extending from the top side of the base to form respective fluid chambers. Each of the fluid chambers includes an interior volume that is at least partially defined by one of the recessed surfaces and an interior surface of one of the domed walls. The system additionally includes a pump and a generator. The pump is configured to transport water from the fluid chambers toward an exterior environment of the system. The generator is configured to generate electrical energy in response to water flowing from the exterior environment toward the fluid chambers.

An underwater energy storage system comprising a container where energy is stored by transporting water between the container and a body of water, is disclosed. 5 The container comprises a water- and gas-tight membrane surrounding a container volume, where the container is rendered mainly incompressible by a fill material comprising densely packed, incompressible objects arranged in the container volume, the fill material forming a mainly incompressible aggregate.

An underwater energy storage system comprising a container where energy is stored by transporting water between the container and a body of water, is disclosed. 5 The container comprises a water- and gas-tight membrane surrounding a container volume, where the container is rendered mainly incompressible by a fill material comprising densely packed, incompressible objects arranged in the container volume, the fill material forming a mainly incompressible aggregate.