Hello fellow renewable energy enthusiasts,
Exciting news is on the horizon for solar and renewable energy aficionados across the globe! The dawn of large-scale gravity energy storage is here, paving the way for innovative technological leaps in the field.
If you’re wondering where this is happening, look no further than our own backyard! Impending plans have been disclosed to establish an 18 MW/36 MWh gravity storage facility here in the United States. These endeavors point to the future lying within the potential to harness the natural pull of our own planet to store energy. It’s cutting edge solar tech, marking it as the first considerable venture into the realm of gravity energy storage in any Western nation.
The planned establishment of these storage facilities aims to influence the ERCOT market, while also catering to a soon-to-be-built research facility in Texas, titled Solutions Excellence Center, specifically dedicated to pioneering storage technologies. You might be wondering what makes it all so unique? It parallels the very concept and physics of pumped hydroelectric energy storage, adopting the robust durability and lasting storage capacity of solid “mobile mass.”
Energy Vault, a key player in the solar and renewable energy industry, previously completed a gravity-based storage facility in China, boasting 25 MW/100 MWh’s worth of capacity. Such steps forward prove that investing in solar for your home isn’t merely a fad—it’s the cornerstone of a sustainable future.
Their advancements don’t stop there though. Energy Vault’s unique patented storage system uses an electric (solar-powered) motor to lift composite blocks. These hefty blocks are then stacked, creating an abundance of potential energy ready to be deployed when required. At the core of it all, a high-tech system managed by sophisticated computer systems overlays the entire operation. This ensures seamless transitions between charging and discharging cycles.
The approach is notable because it makes use of low-cost resources to construct the composite blocks. This includes waste materials from construction sites and decommissioned wind turbines, turning one man’s trash into society’s energy treasure.
If you’ve been considering a solar array for your home, times have never been more promising. Solar companies are progressing rapidly, and the opportunities for homeowners and businesses alike are immense. This ground-breaking step towards large-scale gravity storage presents a wealth of opportunities for solar companies and homeowners looking to invest in solar panels for their home. With storage durations ranging from two to 12 hours or longer, this technology could be the push towards more widespread adoption of solar.
Stay tuned to this blog as I continue to monitor and report on these exciting developments in the world of solar! As a passionate advocate for solar, I wholeheartedly believe that each stride we take towards elevating renewable energy technology yields exponential benefits for our future. Let’s keep igniting the solar revolution, one panel at a time!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/22/enel-energy-vault-build-18-mw-36-mwh-of-u-s-gravity-storage/
