Gravity energy storage specialist Gravitricity is to investigate the potential of storing energy at a decommissioned mine in Germany.
The developer has been contracted by mine owner Geiger Group to investigate one of the decommissioned shafts of the Grube Teutschenthal mine, situated near Halle, about 150 km south-west of Berlin.
The 760 metre deep mine was used originally for mineral extraction for the production of potash and rock salt.
Geiger Group is now using the facility as a long-term waste disposal facility, using deep underground cavities to offer environmentally sound disposal of mineral waste, especially from thermal energy plants and industry.
The Gravitricity study will look initially at the technical and commercial feasibility of using the so called “Saale shaft” to optimise the supply and demand of green energy.
Work will commence in May. If this initial phase of the study is positive, Gravitricity will then deliver a concept design and project development plan, offering Geiger Group the option to consider constructing a full-scale gravity energy storage plant.
“Geiger Group is planning to use green energy to power existing operations at the site, and optimising our electricity supply through gravity energy storage could open up additional benefits for our own operation as well as for the public grid,” said Markus Mannel, MD of Grube Teutschenthal.
Charlie Blair, Managing Director of Gravitricity, said: “This contract with Geiger Group demonstrates the growing interest in the potential to use our below-ground gravity storage technology as a cost-effective and flexible way of storing and delivering renewable energy.
“We are now having conversations with mine owners worldwide seeking to explore opportunities to develop first-of-a-kind schemes.”
Earlier this month Gravitricity opened a public crowd raise on Crowdcube, which has now hit £690,000 against an initial target of £550,000.
The raise will close at the end of April.
The Edinburgh firm has already demonstrated a scale version of its technology in Edinburgh, built in partnership with Dutch winch specialist Huisman.
Worldwide, Gravitricity estimates there are around 14,000 mines which could be suitable for gravity energy storage.