Innovative Renewable Energy - Load Management Technology via Controlled Weight Motion

Abstract - The paper presents an innovative renewable energy - load management technology, which is currently being developed as a prototype, in preparation for potential large-scale implementation in power systems. The new technology employs controlled motion of large weights, which are being maneuvered (up and down) through the system peak / off-peak demand pattern. The load management scheme is similar to the pumping storage systems, but uses large weights instead of water and, therefore, is more suited to the operating environment in Saudi Arabia, in which water is relatively scarce. A portion of the off-peak valley-filling energy is supplied from wind-driven generators, which adds to the green energy component of the scheme. The controlled motion aspect of the new technology is based on partial implementation of previously published ideas by the authors as well as a registered patent. The paper describes the theoretical and analytical features of the introduced renewable energy - load management technology, and dwells on its practical implementation features.