Parametric optimisation for the design of gravity energy storage system using Taguchi method

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 19648
• Main Authors: Elsayed, Mostafa E. A., Abdo, Saber, Attia, Ahmed A. A., Attia, El-Awady, Abd Elrahman, M. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 16.11.2022; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/166/988; 639/4077/4079; Design; Energy storage; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Variance analysis
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20514-y

Gravitational energy storage systems are among the proper methods that can be used with renewable energy. However, these systems are highly affected by their design parameters. This paper presents a novel investigation of different design features of gravity energy storage systems. A theoretical model was developed using MATLAB SIMULINK to simulate the performance of the gravitational energy storage system while changing its design parameters. A parametric optimization study was also conducted using Taguchi and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques for optimizing the energy storage rate. Six parameters were studied; three are related to the piston design (diameter, height, and material density). The other parameters are the return pipe diameter, length, and charging/discharging time. Results revealed that the piston diameter and height are the two most significant parameters for the system performance compared to the other parameters, as they contributed by 35.11% and 30.28%, respectively. The optimization results indicated that the optimal piston diameter, height, and return pipe diameter were 0.25, 0.5, and 0.01 of the container height. The outcomes of this paper can significantly improve energy storage and power generation from renewable energy systems as it provides a reliable, economical, sustainable, and durable energy storage system.