Dutch company Huisman has signed a contract with UK partner Gravitricity to deliver a 250kW gravity based grid stabilisation concept demonstrator.
The Gravitricity system is designed to stabilise the utility power grid by means of lifting and lowering a weight, enabling global green energy storage and discharge.
The demo will be built in Europe, installed in the UK and is set to be operational by the end of 2020.
It will demonstrate the working principles of Gravitricity’s energy storage system and will validate dynamic behaviour simulations.
After successful testing, a full-scale prototype will be installed in a European mineshaft by 2022.
The companies then plan to start construction of a commercial 20MW scalable system through a pipeline of projects in the UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia and the Americas.
Huisman director global business development manager Peter Berting said: “We are delighted to start with this project that enables competitive global green energy storage and discharge by using the existing innovative Huisman technology and capabilities in a growing market. We are very pleased to contribute to the current energy transition with this step changing green solution.”
Huisman product manager cranes Cees van Veluw said: “This is a perfect example of using our expertise and service combined with Gravitricity’s technology and intellectual property in a new market application and we are highly motivated to deliver this first and full scale equipment.”
Gravitricity managing director Charlie Blair said: “Our solution is cost effective, very long lasting and has a high round trip efficiency and fast response time.
“It is also non-polluting especially compared with battery storage.
“Electricity grids are changing as we transition to 100% renewables and our technology has a great part to play as an infrastructure asset built into grids.
“It’s fantastic to have signed a major contract with Huisman after two years working with them on our design.”