Probably a lot faster...

In a panel that discussed ideas on how to store energy there was a peculiar idea: Cap a large mountain and elevate its top by pumping liquid into it. If you need the energy again, just extract the fluid an generate the needed energy.

It was probably not feasible because we are lacking efficient and low-maintenance pumps, but it convinced me. Hope to have my own battery mountain one day...

But a similar fluid/pressure approach might indeed allow us to extract energy from continental drift.

Lifting blocks. Filling reservoirs. Moving loaded train cars uphill.

These all store energy be resisting gravity until recovering the energy by allowing gravity to do its work. Some are more practical than other. I'd have to say this mountain capping plan is the least practical I've ever seen.

At that huge scale and tiny speed the structural material being compressed would prevent any useful power transfer. It seems like there are lots of ideas like this from engineers who partially understand other disciplines, a little nugget of a good idea but with knowledge gap issues that prevent feasibility. I still think they’re a good thing because eventually someone will float an idea with potential. There’s no harm in throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks!

Wouldn't be fun without a challenge.