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Michael Barnard argues that the ARES test in Nevada demonstrated the system’s ability to move massive loads, but also revealed the low density of stored energy relative to the amount of equipment required. The article contends that turning the concept into a 20-megawatt system operating for 20 hours would impose major construction and operational challenges when compared with pumped-hydro storage and batteries.
RheEnergise demonstrated the operation of a hydropower storage system using a high-density liquid in Devon with a design capacity of 500 kilowatts, but the demonstration provided only about 15 minutes of full-power discharge instead of four hours. The analysis concludes that increasing storage duration could push the technology toward competing with batteries or confront it with massive mineral requirements.