In May 2024, Energy Vault, a company specializing in long-duration, grid-scale energy storage, announced an exclusive global partnership with SOM. Having made strides in gravity energy storage systems (GESS)—which hold the potential to store and supply renewable energy to the power grid safely, fo Contact online >>
In May 2024, Energy Vault, a company specializing in long-duration, grid-scale energy storage, announced an exclusive global partnership with SOM. Having made strides in gravity energy storage systems (GESS)—which hold the potential to store and supply renewable energy to the power grid safely, for long periods, and without degrading—the global company sought out SOM''s architecture and engineering expertise to develop the next generation of GESS technology. When integrated into tall buildings, these systems can maximize sustainability, accelerate carbon payback of building construction, and lower the levelized cost of energy consumption. They can also bring sustainable energy storage to natural landscapes with minimal environmental impact.
As part of this strategic partnership, SOM is the exclusive architect and structural engineer for fixed frames and deployable structures for all new Energy Vault gravity energy storage systems, including incorporating gravity energy storage technology into tall buildings in urban environments and deployable structures in natural environments.
Gravity energy storage systems operate using similar principles as pumped hydro storage, which is currently the largest source of grid storage. GESS installations use surplus energy to lift heavy blocks, which creates potential energy that can later be converted into electricity when lowered to the ground. Unlike pumped hydro storage facilities, which can only be built on specific natural sites, GESS installations can theoretically be constructed anywhere—opening up wide new possibilities for clean energy storage and distribution.
Energy Vault collaborated with SOM to find efficiencies in their existing EVx™ platform, enabling the design and engineering of several new typologies—including towers over 300 meters and up to 1,000 meters tall—which would be able to achieve a carbon payback within accelerated timeframes of 3 to 4 years. Through this partnership, Energy Vault and SOM are designing a new platform of G-VAULT GESS solutions focused on improved economics, energy density and sustainability.
SOM''s partnership with Energy Vault demonstrates a commitment not only to accelerate the world''s transition away from fossil fuels, but also to explore, together, how the architecture of renewable energy can enhance our shared natural landscapes and urban environments.
Current energy storage solutions face challenges such as negative environmental impacts, geographical constraints, scalability issues, and long-term sustainability issues.
For instance, lithium storage requires rare earth minerals and poses recycling challenges, while pumped hydro requires large reservoirs and significant land use, limiting deployment.
One of the alternatives, Gravity energy storage, emerges as a promising solution, offering a novel way to store energy using the earth’s gravitational force. This method involves elevating heavy weights during excess energy production and releasing them to generate electricity when needed.
The technology is appealing due to its potential for high energy capacity, long lifespan, minimal environmental impact, and the ability to repurpose existing infrastructures such as disused mines and oil wells.
It further offers lower costs over the lifecycle, minimal geographical limitations, and a smaller environmental footprint. As a mechanical storage solution, it also avoids the chemical issues associated with battery disposal and the extensive land use required for pumped hydro.
This article explores five innovative growth-stage startups advancing gravity energy storage technology. These startups have the potential to grow rapidly, are in a good market position, or can introduce game-changing technology to the market in the next 2-3 years.
This makes them a great option to partner, collaborate, or acquire.
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Green Gravity developed a gravitational energy storage system that moves heavy weights up and down in disused mine shafts. It utilizes the gravitational potential energy to store and release energy. This system is designed to be low-cost, long-lived, and environmentally friendly.
It uses no processed chemicals and suffers no performance degradation, which makes it a compelling alternative to chemical batteries and other energy storage methods.
Green Gravity uses the existing underground infrastructure, specifically old mine shafts, to create energy storage solutions that are both economically and environmentally advantageous.
The technology leverages the significant depths of these shafts to maximize energy storage potential, making it more space-efficient and cost-effective than constructing new facilities or using above-ground structures. This approach repurposes idle assets and contributes to the circular economy by reducing the need for new constructions and the associated environmental impact.
CEO Mark Swinnerton led this startup with his experience in Directorial, presidential, and managerial roles in the mining industry. He worked with companies like BlueScope Steel for 7+ years and BHP for 3 years, where he handled multiple management roles.
Green Gravity completed an Early-stage VC funding round on 25 May 2022 to secure $985K.
Millions of inactive oil wells across North America are sources of methane leaks and other pollutants. These abandoned wells represent an environmental hazard and a significant financial burden due to the high costs of permanently sealing them.
Renewell has developed a unique solution called "Gravity Well" technology, transforming idle oil and gas wells into efficient, green energy storage systems.
This technology uses a mechatronic energy conversion system to store energy by lowering a weight down the well shaft, converting potential energy into electricity with a regenerative winch mechanism.
The system is characterized by its low capital cost of $5 per kWh and operational cost, which results in a levelized cost of storage (LCOS) of $63 per MWh.
The startup technology uses existing infrastructure to achieve unprecedented storage efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The Gravity Well system leverages the depth of old wells (averaging about 5,200 feet) to increase energy storage capacity per kilogram of weight.
By sealing and repurposing these wells, Renewell''s technology mitigates methane emissions and can result in a net-negative carbon footprint. This approach transforms a costly cleanup challenge into a revenue opportunity for well owners.
Co-founder and CEO Kemp Gregory led this startup with his experience as a completions engineer at Shell company. He holds an MS in Energy Engineering from Stanford University School of Engineering.
Renewell Energy raised its latest seed funding on Jul 10, 2023.
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RheEnergise developed a technology called High-Density Hydro®, which utilizes a fluid called R-19 that is 2.5 times denser than water. This technology allows energy storage systems to be constructed on smaller hills. It reduces the need for large elevation changes and minimizes construction''s environmental and financial costs.
High-Density Hydro® operates by pumping the dense R-19 fluid to an upper reservoir during low energy demand and releasing it to lower reservoirs through turbines to generate electricity when demand increases.
This system can be integrated into existing grid infrastructures and supports the co-location with other renewable projects, offering power outputs ranging from 10MW to 50MW.
Using the non-corrosive, environmentally neutral R-19 fluid enhances the technology''s sustainability. RheEnergise''s solution provides more than double the energy outputof conventional low-density hydro systems.
Stephen Crosher is a co-founder and the CEO of this startup. He has director-level experience across three industries: renewable energy, innovation and policy, and architecture and design.
He has held roles such as MD, CCO, Commercial Director, and Advisor with companies like X-Wind Power Limited and Fleet Renewables.
RheEnergise’s latest Series A funding was on Feb 15, 2023.
Balancing the energy supply and demand using increasingly common intermittent renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, is necessary. The problem lies in storing excess energy generated during peak production times and releasing it efficiently during high-demand periods to ensure a stable energy supply.
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