Gravitricity set to launch stored energy demonstrator

News

A company that proposes storing and releasing energy with winches and weights in mineshafts is set to build its first demonstrator project in Scotland.

 

Edinburgh start-up Gravitricity has signed an agreement with Forth Ports to build their first demonstrator on land within the Port of Leith. Work will begin on the £1m project in October with plans to be operational by late December.

UK start-up eyes abandoned mine shafts for energy storage

The 16m high rig will use the port’s electrical network and grid connections and will be used to demonstrate the speed of response of their energy storage system.

Gravitricity’s energy battery works by raising multiple heavy weights – totalling up to 12,000 tonnes – in a deep shaft and releasing them when energy is required. They plan to roll out their technology in disused mine shafts globally.

The demonstrator at the Port of Leith will allow the technology to be trialled on a smaller scale, utilising an above ground structure.

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