Question

The main obstacle to solar and wind renewable energy is that the sources are not constant, in order to have energy available all the time we need storage of energy. Currently batteries are too expensive, and widespread adoption is not cost effective. From your knowledge of physics, what other means of storage may be used? How would you store and then recover the energy? Explain.

Answer 1

Some sources of energy storage other than batteries:

a) Water: First water should be lifted to some height so that it's gravitational potential energy rises, and when water is set to fall down this energy could be used to rotate turbines which produces electricity. (Hydroelectric Power)

b) Compressed Air: First air should be compressed and stored in this form, then during the need of energy this compressed air should be set free and the energy released in process can be utilized.

c) Thermal Energy: First energy can be converted into thermal form and can be stored and utilized later when needed.