Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for converting energy between electric, kinetic, and potential and storing potential energy; the method comprising the steps of: providing a conveyor belt having a lower end, an upper end; the conveyor belt configured to convey conveyed material between the upper end and the lower end in both directions; providing an evaluation system configured to determine the electric power load on an electrical grid relative to the power supply on the electrical grid; a generator configured to generate electric power when the conveyor belt conveys the conveyed material from the high potential energy storage location to the low potential energy storage location; coupling a motor to the conveyor belt, the motor configured to provide motive force to the conveyor belt to convey the conveyed material from the low potential energy storage location to the high potential energy storage location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a belt tension measuring device utilizing a first end roller, the first end roller supporting the belt; a second end roller having an axis of rotation parallel to the first end roller; a support arm pivotably mounted to pivot about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first end roller; a deflection roller rotatably mounted to the support arm at a distance from the pivot of the support arm; the deflection roller having a rotational axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first end roller, the roller resting upon the belt, configured to bias the belt against the first roller and second roller; and a position indicator measuring the distance between the axis of the deflection roller and a line drawn between the axis of rotation of the first end roller and the axis of rotation of the second end roller.