Howard Winter wrote:

>> I'm not sure about the storage system mentioned here but wouldn't you
>> need to raise 36,000 kg 10 meters to get 1 kwh? Is there some trick to
>> the hydraulic system that would let it work with less mass?
> 
> Sorry, my physics is so rusty that I can't remember the conversion
> factors in this, 

Unless you want to use weird units, there are no conversion factors (unless
you consider the gravity acceleration a conversion factor):

E = f x d
  = 36'000 kg x g x 10 m
  = 3.53 MJ
  = 3.53 MWs
  = 3530 kWs
  ~= 1 kWh

> The main accumulators for Tower Bridge had weights of about 100 tonnes, I
> believe, but I think their full travel was in the range of 6 to 8
> metres, and they hed enough energy to perform at least one full
> open-close cycle. 

E = 100'000 kg x g x 8 m
  ~= 8 MJ
  ~= 2.2 kWh

Gerhard

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