Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm a founder of an energy storage company, Lightsail Energy. To say all government funded energy storage companies went belly up is an exaggeration. Many still survive, although you will note a strange anti-correlation between government funding and survival. In my opinion a lot of money did go in the wrong hands. The main problem is that the government is totally confused as to its actual funding strategy -- you ne…
Hi, I've been following your company. You lot are amazing. That is all. :) edit - oh, I do have one thing to ask, how do you think your tech compares with Gravitypower http://www.gravitypower.net/ and Isentropic http://www.isentropic.co.uk/ ? edit 2 - and when can I expect to be able to buy a small one, say enough storage for my house? Or are you only doing the grid-scale?
Gravity Power: I hope they have a good idea for how they can make and seal a giant concrete piston and boreshaft. I think engineered pumped hydro has a major edge on these guys -- and energy cache.
Isentropic: potentially lower cost than us (gravel's not too expensive), but significantly more loss channels, so a tougher efficiency problem. Serious loss channel potential in the thermal gradient, plus both heat stores need to be pressurized in their main design.
Wouldn't trade places with them, but maybe they'd say the same.
We might eventually do a ~10kw version for homes or a ~100kw version for cars but that is very speculative / in the future.
I am modestly excited by Ambri, Aquion, and Tesla.