Progress in experimental assessments of buoyancy work energy storage

This work reiterates the potential of buoyancy work energy storage (BWES) systems which has been presented in previously published experimental-based literature. The concept of buoyancy work can be grasped when studying the operation of mobility devices such as hot air balloons or boats, where buoyancy plays a key role in keeping them afloat. Conventional experimental BWES systems that were studied in previous literature consist of a water tank, a submergible buoy, a motor/generator carrying out the charging/discharging processes, respectively, and a data acquisition interface. It is interesting to see the progression of this technology at lab scale, where initial designs included the use of a barrel as the water tank, and Styrofoam cut-outs as buoys. One design utilized a ring with multiple Styrofoam buoys attached to it, and it was later enhanced by adding helical engravings to the buoys' surface to affect its interaction with water positively during descension and ascension. The latest study added to this timeline of ongoing development investigates the effect of different buoy materials, surface coatings, buoy infill gasses, and load.