Abstract This work presents a novel and rigorous framework for extracting gravitational potential energy stored in hydrostatic water columns using an advanced piston-based mechanical system. Combining classical hydrostatic theory, modern stratified fluid energy concepts (APE to BPE transition), and innovative reset mechanisms (pulley-canceled forces and air-assisted actuation), we derive a new general law for hydrostatic energy depletion. The system efficiently harvests available gravitational energy without violating conservation laws, achieving net positive energy conversion cycles while maintaining mass conservation. This approach opens a new frontier in gravitational energy extraction from static fluid reservoirs, bridging fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and mechanical engineering.
Peskovic et al. (Tue,) studied this question.