Systems and methods are disclosed for using electrical energy to store potential energy during a first period of electrical demand and, thereafter, to convert the stored potential energy into electrical energy that can be supplied to an electrical grid during a second period of electrical demand. During the first period of electrical demand, electrical energy is used to move one or more weight(s) from a first relative position of low potential energy to a second relative position of high potential energy. During time periods of high electrical demand, the system is used to move one or more individual weight(s) from the relative position of high potential energy to the relative position of low potential energy. As each individual weight moves from the position of high potential energy, the motion of the weight is used to cause a generator to generate electrical energy.