An energy storage unit may include multiple kinetic cells that store kinetic energy by use of a rotating, levitating mass to provide large amounts of electrical energy therefrom. The kinetic cells may use air bearings to support the levitating mass in a frictionless state. In an embodiment, the air bearings may be aerodynamic air bearings that enable the mass to self-levitate when rotating, thereby enabling the energy storage unit to be transported without the kinetic cells being charged.

A system includes multiple electrical nodes connected in series to a primary power source via transmission lines. Each node includes a power converter that can receive first power from the primary power source or another upstream node. The power converter can change a voltage level and/or a frequency of the first power. Each node also includes a high-speed synchronous rotating machine (HSRM), which includes an inertial storage flywheel, a rotating excitation assembly, stator windings, and a synchronous motor coupled to an induction generator. The HSRM can boost a voltage level between an input and output to compensate for a voltage drop of the first power. At least one of the nodes further includes an inductive power coupler to electrically couple the node to a mobile power source that provides second power to the node and receives a portion of the first power from the node using contactless inductive power transfer. The system includes a combination of AC and DC power transmission techniques and associated bidirectional power converters.

A power control system includes a control unit, a motor, an electricity storing unit, and a generator set. The control unit includes a charging/driving controller and a load controller electrically connected to a load. The motor can be driven by electricity of the electricity storing unit. The generator set includes a revolving wheel which is driven by the motor for driving a driving power generator and an energy storage generator. The driving power generator provides electricity to the load. Electrical energy generated by the energy storage generator is used for charging the electricity storing unit. When the generator set breaks down, the electricity of the electricity storing unit is provided to the load through a control of the charging/driving controller. The power control system supplies sufficient electrical energy to the load under low energy consumption condition and has advantages of environment protection and fault alarm.

An electric energy storage and recovery system is provided to store electric energy from a generator when it is not required for the electric power grid. The system employs a controller to switch a generator between operating as an electric motor in power storage mode and operating as a generator in a power generation mode. A weight engaged to a distal end of a cable may be wound upon a reel by the generator when operating as an electric motor. The weight, in an elevated position, will pull the cable from the reel to rotate the generator and produce electric power when operating in power generation mode.

The disclosed embodiments provide a highly efficient, utility scale energy storage and retrieval system. The system is characterized by a chain of multiple rotating interconnected masses (8), a hollow toroid-shaped housing (1), plural pairs of permanent magnets (7, 11), magnets (7, 11) and coils (10) for the charging and discharging of electric energy and is operated by an automated control system. The mass (8) chain is fitted and rotating inside the housing (1), and the energy is stored into the rotational energy of the chain. The transformation of electrical energy into rotational energy or vice versa is carried out by using coil units (10). In order to minimize losses, the chain is magnetically levitating and a vacuum is pumped into the housing (1).

According to the present invention an HVAC system is provided. The HVAC system includes a heat exchanger containing a cooling fluid to be circulated, a blower assembly configured to generate an inlet air stream through said heat exchanger, and a kinetic energy storage device. The blower assembly is powered by an external electrical power supply. The kinetic energy storage device is configured to provide auxiliary power to the blower assembly in the event of an interruption of the external electrical power supply.

An electro-mechanical kinetic energy storage device includes an input port, an output port, and a tertiary port separate from and magnetically coupled to the input port and the output port. The input port is configured to receive a first input electrical energy from a first electrical source for inducing mechanical energy into the electro-mechanical kinetic energy storage device. The output port is configured output a first converted electrical energy to a first load in which the outputted electrical energy is generated from the induced mechanical energy. The tertiary port is configured to receive a second input electrical energy from a second electrical source for inducing the mechanical energy, and output a second converted electrical energy to a second load, the second converted electrical energy generated from the induced mechanical energy.

A universal application method including an energy storage process for supplying energy in the vicinity of the point of consumption using regenerative energy sources and to the use thereof. The application quality consists in the reliable supply of current in an autonomous as well as network-integrated manner in the vicinity of the point of consumption without specific location requirements and with an automatic and reliable operation which can be remote-controlled, high storage and distribution cycles with short reaction times and without self-discharges or degeneration, a low auxiliary energy consumption, low operating costs, a high degree of environmental compatibility with a high degree of efficiency, and a long calendar service life which is conterminous with the building.

A system for gravity-powered storage including a substantially vertical shaft, the substantially vertical shaft disposed underground, the substantially vertical shaft spanning a height, at least one module disposed within the shaft, the module comprising a weight, at least one module driver assembly affixed within the substantially vertical shaft, the module driver assembly comprises an electric motor/generator and a conveyor component disposed within the shaft, the conveyor component coupled to the module driver assembly, the conveyor component affixed to at least one module, the conveyor component configured to move the module within the shaft via the module driver assembly.

An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that both mechanical and electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component.