Huisman start fabrication of energy storage demonstrator

Huisman have begun fabrication of a £1m energy storage demonstrator which is set for trials in Edinburgh next year.

The contract is being fulfilled for Gravitricity, developers of an energy storage system that works by raising multiple heavy weights – totalling up to 12,000 tonnes – in a deep shaft and releasing them when energy is required.

Gravitricity set to launch stored energy demonstrator

Work on the custom-built winches and control system has started at a Huisman factory in the Czech Republic and is expected to complete in December. The lattice tower for Gravitricity’s 250kW demonstrator is being fabricated by Kelvin Power in Leicester.

The full 16m high rig will then be assembled at a grid-connected site at the port of Leith for testing to begin in spring 2021.

Gravitricity have recently raised over £1.5m for their technology development through a crowdfunding campaign and have also received a £640,000 grant from Innovate UK.

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