A water reservoir system for generating, accumulating, storing, and releasing electrical energy comprises a reservoir wall built in a shallow body of water such as a sea or an ocean with a height exceeding the outside water level by about 10-25 m, thereby defining an interior of the water reservoir. Excess electrical energy from other renewable sources of electricity such as wind, solar power, or supplied by a local power grid is used to operate water pumps to fill the interior of the water reservoir with water during times of peak supply of electricity. Water is drained from the water reservoir to the outside body of water and generates electrical energy by flowing over a plurality of water turbines, thereby generating electricity and supplementing electrical power for the local power grid during times of high demand. Additional interior sources of renewable energy may be used to supplement external sources of electrical power in operating the system of the invention.

A floating power-generation group comprises a floating hub such as a spar buoy that is anchored to subsea foundations by anchor lines. Floating power producer units such as wind turbines are connected electrically and mechanically to the hub. The power producer units are each moored by mooring lines. At least one mooring line extends inwardly toward the hub to effect mechanical connection to the hub and at least one other mooring line extends outwardly toward a subsea foundation. The groups are combined as a set whose hubs are connected electrically to each other via subsea energy storage units. Anchor lines of different groups can share subsea foundations. The storage units comprise pumping machinery to expel water from an elongate storage volume and generating machinery to generate electricity from a flow of water entering the storage volume. The pumping machinery may be in deeper water than the generating machinery.

This invention relates to hydraulic energy storage and management systems. In particular, this invention relates to a hydraulic energy management system that has a reconfigurable energy storage and release capability that adjusts to varying available energy input and power demand output requirements. The hydraulic energy management system can be resized by a hydraulic bridge circuit to permit hydraulic power units to be added or removed, both physically and operationally, to capture available energy over time, adjust to peak demand cycles, and maintain power output in the event of a failure of a portion of the system.

This invention relates to hydraulic energy storage and management systems. In particular, this invention relates to a hydraulic energy management system that has a reconfigurable energy storage and release capability that adjusts to varying available energy input and power demand output requirements. The hydraulic energy management system can be resized by a hydraulic bridge circuit to permit hydraulic power units to be added or removed, both physically and operationally, to capture available energy over time, adjust to peak demand cycles, and maintain power output in the event of a failure of a portion of the system.

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.

An underwater pumped storage power plant that includes: an accumulator system with pressure vessels fillable with water and; a water outlet for water flow out of the system into a surrounding ocean against hydrostatic water pressure (PT) corresponding to water depth (T); a pump at the water outlet to pump water out of the system by converting electrical energy into potential energy corresponding to a displaced water column PT; a water inlet to allow water flow into the system from the surrounding ocean; a common generator at the water inlet, to convert the potential energy back into electrical energy when water flows in; electric lines to transport the electrical energy from the ocean surface to the power plant and back, wherein the pressure vessels are pressure-resistant and resistant to deformation from the PT at the ocean floor.

An underwater pumped storage power plant that includes: an accumulator system with pressure vessels fillable with water and; a water outlet for water flow out of the system into a surrounding ocean against hydrostatic water pressure (PT) corresponding to water depth (T); a pump at the water outlet to pump water out of the system by converting electrical energy into potential energy corresponding to a displaced water column PT; a water inlet to allow water flow into the system from the surrounding ocean; a common generator at the water inlet, to convert the potential energy back into electrical energy when water flows in; electric lines to transport the electrical energy from the ocean surface to the power plant and back, wherein the pressure vessels are pressure-resistant and resistant to deformation from the PT at the ocean floor.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a power conversion system and a method for conversing power. The power conversion system includes a first fluid holding tank, a second fluid holding tank, a fluid inlet hose, a fluid outlet hose, a fluid container, and one or more tension springs connected to the upper surface of the container and to a lower surface of the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a rotational component connected to a lower side of the container via a connecting rod. The power conversion system further includes a generator connected to the rotational component via a horizontal shaft. The power conversion system further includes a feedback hose connected between the second fluid holding tank and the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a hydraulic pump connected to the second fluid holding tank.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a power conversion system and a method for conversing power. The power conversion system includes a first fluid holding tank, a second fluid holding tank, a fluid inlet hose, a fluid outlet hose, a fluid container, and one or more tension springs connected to the upper surface of the container and to a lower surface of the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a rotational component connected to a lower side of the container via a connecting rod. The power conversion system further includes a generator connected to the rotational component via a horizontal shaft. The power conversion system further includes a feedback hose connected between the second fluid holding tank and the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a hydraulic pump connected to the second fluid holding tank.

Energy storage system comprising: a first tunnel shaft extending in an upright direction from a ground level to a predetermined underground level; an underground chamber at the predetermined underground level in the first tunnel shaft; a water reservoir is provided at the ground level a second tunnel shaft extending in a lying direction at the predetermined underground level, the second tunnel shaft forming a second water reservoir; at least one pipe extending through the first tunnel shaft interconnecting the first water reservoir and the second water reservoir for enabling water to flow between the ground level and the predetermined underground level; and
at least one electrical pump and at least one electrical turbine operationally connected to the at least one pipe to enable a controlled charging and discharging of the energy storage system by running an upward and a downward flow of water via the pumps and the turbines, respectively.