Concrete weights stacked to store energy and destacked to provide output. It works (of course) but will have difficulty being cost competitive with other storage technologies. https://qz.com/1355672/stacking-concrete-blocks-is-a-surprisingly-efficient= -way-to-store-energy/ Claimed end to end efficiency is around 85%. LiIon efficiency said to be around 90%. (Actual figure depends on methods of charge/discharge). ________________________________ A "train" (or multiple units) on a track with cable connection may allow improved ease of charge/discharge. Energy storable per mass is less per distance moved due to non-vertical track, but can make use of long slopes. The excessively enthused could move 'wagons' sideways at top and bottom to increase capacity. A single looped cable would allow multiple 'wagons' to be pulled up or to descend using existing chair-lift type coupling/decoupling. Masses & heights involved are "somewhat daunting" 1 kWh =3D 3,600,000 watt-seconds ~=3D 360,000 kg.m (100% efficiency) =3D eg 360 tonne x 1m 36 t x 10m 3.6t x 100m 360 kg x 100 x 10m 36 kg x 1000 x 10m .... Russell --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .