Underwater energy storage system and power station powered therewith

Abstract

An underwater energy storage system includes a tank for storing a compressed gas that is adapted to be stored underwater. The tank includes at least one water opening through which water from surrounding environment can flow into and out of the tank, and at least one gas opening through which the compressed gas is received. The underwater energy storage system further includes at least one duct communicating between the at least one opening for gas flow and a source of compressed gas and a compartment constructed over a roof of the tank, wherein said compartment is adapted for receiving weights at a sinking site of the tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An underwater energy storage system comprising:
 an underwater storage tank for storing compressed air, wherein the tank is formed from a rigid cover forming a cavity therein, wherein the tank includes an opening for air flow through which compressed air is received and is bottomless, and wherein the tank is adapted to float over a bed of the water body;   at least one anchoring element holding the underwater storage tank for anchoring the storage tank at a height above the bed of a water body;   at least one duct communicating between the opening for air flow and a source of the compressed air.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the storage tank is dome shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage tank has a shape of a truncated sphere. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage tank is constructed from at least one of metal, concrete and a rigid polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is in a form of a net connected to a weight, where the net is adapted for encompassing the storage tank.