ASSESSMENT OF MECHANICAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES USED IN ENERGY SYSTEMS.

The document discusses the importance of energy storage technologies in enhancing the stability and reliability of modern electrical grids, especially with the increasing integration of renewable energy sources. It categorizes energy storage technologies into mechanical, electrochemical, thermal, and chemical storage, each with unique characteristics and applications. The work focuses on mechanical energy storage technologies (pumped hydro, compressed air, flywheels, and solid gravity energy storage) that are compared using several evaluation criteria such as: efficiency, cost, scalability, environmental impact, response time, durability and maintenance, geographical and topographical constraints. While each technology--pumped hydro, flywheels, compressed air, gravity-based systems-- offers unique advantages and faces specific challenges, their collective contributions are invaluable in addressing energy storage needs at various scales and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]