The initiative has been developed since 2012 by the Fraunhofer IEE and Pleuger Institute. This project has the financing of the German and private government.
In Germany, a group of scientists has developed an innovative energy project that consists of installing concrete spheres of 400 tons at the bottom of the sea to generate and store energy. This initiative, known as Stesea, has been developing since 2012 by the Fraunhofer IEE Institute in collaboration with the Pleuger company.
The principle behind the project Stesea is ingenious and sustainable. During the day, when the demand for electricity is low thanks to sunlight, the spheres are emptied of sea water using submersible pumps. This process allows you to store energy in the form of potential energy. Then, when demand increases either during the night or in critical situations such as blackouts, the water re -enters the spheres, activating valves that function as turbines to generate electricity.
This system replicates the concept of pumping storagetraditionally used in hydroelectric dams, but adapted to an underwater environment. By taking advantage of the natural pressure of the ocean, Stensea represents an efficient and environmental alternative to balance energy supply and demand.
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With this technology, Germany takes a firm step towards the sustainable energy transition, opening new possibilities for clean generation and intelligent large -scale energy storage.
How the project works
In simple terms, the initiative translates into Anchor concrete balls at a depth of up to 800 meters in the seaelectrically headed and connected to each other. Each one has nine meters wide and, although they are hollow, inside There is a valve Motorized which is key in the process.
One of the main advantages of the Stesesea system is that it allows Store clean and renewable energy without generating toxic waste or emitting polluting gases. This technology is not only environmentally respectful, but also has the ability to supply thousands of homes, thanks to its great storage efficiency. In addition, the concrete spheres used in the project have an estimated durability of up to 60 years, which makes them a long -term sustainable solution.
Where concrete balls can be immersed
The robust design and reliability of the system make it ideal for its implementation in different regions of the world. Project developers have identified several strategic places for their deployment, among them the coasts of Norway, Portugal, Brazil, Japan and the United States. These locations offer adequate marine conditions to make the most of the system potential.
In the case of the United States, the first spheres are already planned before 2026 in the waters near Long Beach, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. This implementation will mark a key step in the international expansion of the project and could become a successful example of how to combine technological innovation and sustainability in the energy field.
Source: Ambito
