Well-based potential energy conversion systems and methods featuring well-external sensing

A potential energy conversion system comprising:

• a movable mass suspended by a line in a non-producing well, the line being coupled to a motor operable to lift the movable mass and a generator operable to produce electricity when lowering the movable mass;
• a fluid filling at least a portion of the non-producing well, a volume of the fluid being sufficient to immerse the movable mass when the movable mass is raised to an uppermost position in the non-producing well;
• a storage tank connected to the wellhead and configured to receive a portion of the fluid from the non-producing well as the movable mass is lowered in the non-producing well;
• a wellhead sealing a surface opening of the non-producing well;
• wherein the line transits the wellhead and is coupled to a sheave pulley system located at a surface opening of the non-producing well;
• and
• at least one sensor;
• wherein the at least one sensor is operable to provide information about a condition in the non-producing well, an operational status of the potential energy conversion system, or any combination thereof;
• and
• wherein the at least one sensor is located within the wellhead, upon the sheave pulley system, at a surface location proximate to the non-producing well, or any combination thereof.