Durable pneumatic elevator system and methods

A method of operating an elevator system, the elevator system comprising an elevator car, an elevator drive adapted to move the elevator car in an elevator shaft, a compressor, and a gas reservoir, wherein the gas reservoir is adapted for storing a pressurized gas, wherein the gas reservoir is connected to an element of the elevator system for powering at least a part of the elevator system, and wherein the element comprises at least one of an elevator drive and a generator, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication of a current energy availability and/or energy cost, and
• operating the compressor of the elevator system by operating an electric motor attached to the compressor to fill the gas reservoir dependent on the received indication.

A method of modernizing an elevator system, the method comprising:

• installing a gas reservoir in the elevator system, wherein the gas reservoir is adapted for storing a pressurized gas, and
• powering at least one element of the elevator system using gas stored in the gas reservoir, wherein the at least one element comprises at least one of a pneumatic elevator drive and a pneumatically actuatable generator.