# US 12,768,335 B2 · Systems and methods for modular pumped storage hydropower > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,768,335 B2 - Document ID: US12768335B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/189,576 - Filed: 2025-04-25 - Published: 2025-10-16 - Granted: 2026-10-20 - Earliest claimed: 2023-06-15 - Assignees: Energy Future Inc. - Applicants: Energy Future Inc. - Inventors: Brian Raine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12768335B2 ## CPC - F03G 3/094: {specially adapted for potential energy power storage stations; combinations of gravity or weight motors with electric motors or generators} - F03B 13/06: Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, {e.g. comprising a turbine and a pump}(turbines characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps F03B3/10) - F05B 2260/422: in the form of potential energy, e.g. pressurized or pumped fluid - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G ## Abstract A modular pumped storage hydropower system may include a shaft having a first end located opposite a second end. A reservoir is connected to the first end of the shaft. The second end of the shaft is configured to be located under a surface of ground. The second end of the shaft has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment retains a pump assembly having an inlet in hydro communication with the second compartment. The second compartment is configured to retain water. A pipe has a first end connected to the pump assembly located opposite a second end extending through a cover of the first end of the shaft. The second end of the pipe is in hydro communication with the reservoir. The pipe of the pump assembly transfers water from the second compartment of the second end of the shaft to the reservoir. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system adapted for storing electric energy in a form of gravity energy, the system comprising: an excavation disposed beneath a ground surface; a liner surrounding the excavation; a dry well structure that provides an accessway from bottom to top of the excavation; a first of pipe that connects an underground cylindrical storage facility with a pumping facility disposed at the bottom of the excavation, inside the dry well; a second piping arrangement positioned inside the dry well that connects an underground cylindrical storage facility with the pumping facility disposed at the ground surface; a third piping arrangement that connect the second piping to an elevated water tank; an above ground tower supporting the water tank; and water lines and electrical power lines disposed above the ground surface and configured to supply water and electrical power to the system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the excavation is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the excavation liner provides support to the cylindrical tower. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the excavation liner comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, reinforced concrete, and composite steel-concrete. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the excavation liner has sufficient capacity to receive vertical and lateral support to the tower while also supporting the excavation and limiting fluid flow through the liner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the underground excavation also forms the underground water storage tank. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the excavation is as much as 500 meters deep. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the excavation is as much as 50 meters in diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second piping arrangement comprises valves and pumps disposed beneath the ground surface in a dry well, and wherein the second piping arrangement is configured to raise the water from a lower chamber to an upper chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a plug disposed at the bottom and beneath an inside of the underground cylindrical storage facility, a structural support component disposed between an outside of the cylindrical facility and the plug. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the underground cylindrical storage facility comprises a first underground cylindrical storage facility and a second underground cylindrical storage facility, wherein a quantity of the first underground cylindrical storage facility is separated by a distance from the second underground cylindrical storage facility. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a subset of vertical pipes are located in the underground tank and contain submersible pumps. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein guides and internal pipes extend to the ground surface, and wherein a plurality of pumps or a turbine are located at the ground surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein multiple silos are arranged into a power storage facility with a commonly shared pump/turbine and balance of plant facilities. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: variable pump and turbine operation options to allow a stepped power storage and generation operation of the underground cylindrical storage facility from low to very high-power operations. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: a gravel bedding layer at a base of a silo.