The Swiss startup Energy Vault plans to complete the construction of two gravity batteries in China, with a capacity of 100 MWh, and in the American state of Texas, with a capacity of 36 MWh, in June 2023.
These batteries will be able to store green energy with a two-way transfer efficiency of more than 80% with minimal auxiliary consumption, reports Interesting Engineering.
It is noted that gravity batteries are considered as an ideal means to solve the problem of unstable generation of solar and wind energy.
The material explained that the operation of the battery is based on the conversion of potential energy into electricity. Thus, a special crane, powered by green energy, will lift a block of patented composite bricks high up. When the energy needs to be released, the block will descend under the influence of gravity, pulling on the cables that rotate the turbines, generating energy.
The company emphasized that the operation of the battery will not depend on topography or geology. Therefore, such batteries can be built anywhere. In addition, cheap materials such as soil, mine tailings, coal ash and other reclaimed materials are used for battery packs.
Energy Vault added that each brick weighs 35 metric tons and has a specific gravity at least twice that of water, as well as adequate compressive strength. In addition to preserving renewable energy, the battery helps use environmentally friendly materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
It is noted that the units will have a storage capacity of up to 80 MW-hours and will be able to continuously deliver from 4 to 8 MW for 8-16 hours.
Developers claim that this technology is more efficient than pumps or turbines of hydro plants. In addition, battery power savings reach 70% due to overall efficiency and no reduction in storage capacity over time.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Finland, a sand battery of the Polar Night Energy company was put into operation at the Watayankoski power plant, which stores 8 MWh of thermal energy. In November 2022, it began to give off heat for heating and water heating.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, a 45-meter tower was built near Berlin in Germany to store 56 million liters of hot water powered by green energy. It is used for hot water supply and heating.
