Gravitational Energy storage in the post-Mine areas

ongoing

"The power industry currently faces with a significant challenge concerning energy storage due to the ongoing energy transformation, where increasingly unstable renewable sources like solar and wind are being utilized. Pumped hydro storage (PHS) dominates the global energy storage market, accounting for approximately 98% of the market share, boasting a capacity exceeding 180 GW. However, PHS technology comes with notable limitations, particularly its substantial costs and stringent location prerequisites, including topographical and water accessibility constraints. In response to these challenges, the GrEnMine project has been proposed with the objective of developing novel gravity-based energy storage systems in former mining areas and waste dump sites. The proposed systems function by storing and releasing energy through the movement of heavy blocks or bulk granular materials between different elevations. To validate this gravitational technology, rigorous benchmarking and evaluation will be conducted via mathematical modeling and testing with small-scale gravitational energy storage systems. Additionally, a comprehensive tool will be created to assess the potential suitability of open pit mines for gravity energy storage. GrEnMine not only guides in new opportunities for regions formerly reliant on coal but also aligns with the larger energy transition away from coal-based energy sources. It facilitates diversification in the coal industry by repurposing post-mining areas as energy storage sites, capitalizing on the innovative gravitational energy storage technology outlined in the proposal. GrEnMine aligns with the research objectives of RFCS Research Programme and contributes to achieving the goals for the Coal sector, specifically focusing on ""Supporting the just transition of the coal sector and regions"" by introducing novel prospects for coal and lignite regions, transforming post-mining areas into functional gravitational energy storage systems."