ABB has signed an agreement with UK-based gravity energy storage firm Gravitricity to explore how hoist expertise and technologies can accelerate the development and implementation of gravity energy storage systems in former mines. Gravitricity has developed GraviStore, an innovative gravity energy storage system that raises and lowers heavy weights in underground shafts – to offer some of the best characteristics of lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage. Future GraviStores will store more than 20 MWh, providing long-duration storage and rapid power delivery to network-constrained users and operators, distribution networks and major power users. Unlike batteries, the Gravitricity system can operate for decades without any reduction in performance. Gravitricity has already proven the system with a scale demonstrator and is exploring the potential to deploy its groundbreaking technology in decommissioned mines worldwide.
As a market leader for mine hoists with a large installed base of more than 1000 hoist solutions worldwide, ABB will collaborate by providing research and development, product development and engineering teams specialising in the design, engineering and operations of mine hoists and mechanical, electrical and control technologies for hoisting. Gravitricity will bring specialist expertise in grid compliance and control systems.
The decommissioning of mine shafts is a costly process for mining companies. When disused mine shafts are repurposed for energy storage, they can fill a productive function for up to 50 years beyond their original lifetime and mitigate decommissioning costs, while creating new job opportunities and contributing to the green energy transition.
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