Energy storage tower

An energy storage structure, comprising:

• a structure comprising:
• a lower section comprising a first plurality of modules configured to be filled with a liquid;
• an upper section comprising a second plurality of modules, each module of the second plurality of modules is configured to be filled with the liquid;
• a first plurality of pipes hydraulically coupling the first plurality of modules and the second plurality of modules, the first plurality of pipes defining a first path of liquid movement from the lower section to the upper section;
• a second plurality of pipes hydraulically coupling the second plurality of modules of the upper section with the first plurality of modules of the lower section, the second plurality of pipes defining a second path of liquid movement from the upper section to the lower section,
• wherein the first plurality of pipes and the second plurality of pipes facilitate independent liquid movement between any module of the first plurality of modules and any module of the second plurality of modules;
• a plurality of pumps hydraulically connected to the first plurality of modules;
• and
• a plurality of turbines, each of the plurality of turbines positioned along the second path and hydraulically coupled to the second plurality of pipes,
• wherein the plurality of pumps are operable to pump the liquid along the first path from one or more of the first plurality of modules to the second plurality of modules to store energy as potential energy, and
• wherein the plurality of turbines are operable to generate electricity from a flow of the liquid along the second path through the second plurality of pipes from the second plurality of modules to one or more of the first plurality of modules under a force of gravity;
• and
• a plurality of valves, each valve actuatable between a closed position and an open position.

An energy storage structure, comprising:

• a structure comprising:
• a lower section comprising a first plurality of modules, each module of the first plurality of modules is configured to be filled with a liquid, and
• an upper section comprising a second plurality of modules, each module of the second plurality of modules is configured to be selectively filled with the liquid;
• a first plurality of pipes hydraulically coupling the first plurality of modules and the second plurality of modules, the first plurality of pipes defining a first path from the lower section to the upper section;
• a second plurality of pipes hydraulically coupling the second plurality of modules to the first plurality of modules, the second plurality of pipes defining a second path from the upper section to the lower section,
• wherein the first plurality of pipes and the second plurality of pipes facilitate independent liquid movement between any module of the first plurality of modules and any module of the second plurality of modules;
• a plurality of pumps hydraulically connected to the first plurality of modules, the plurality of pumps are operable to pump the liquid along the first path from each module of the first plurality of modules to the second plurality of modules to store energy as potential energy;
• and
• a plurality of valves, each valve actuatable between a closed position and an open position.