Underground Gravity Energy Storage: A Solution for Long-Term Energy Storage

Julian David Hunt, Behnam Zakeri (), Jakub Jurasz, Wenxuan Tong, Paweł B. Dąbek, Roberto Brandão, Epari Ritesh Patro, Bojan Đurin, Walter Leal Filho, Yoshihide Wada, Bas van Ruijven and Keywan Riahi
Additional contact information
Julian David Hunt: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Behnam Zakeri: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Jakub Jurasz: Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Wenxuan Tong: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Paweł B. Dąbek: Institute of Environmental Protection and Development, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
Roberto Brandão: Electric Sector Study Group, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
Epari Ritesh Patro: Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland
Bojan Đurin: Department of Civil Engineering, University North, 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia
Walter Leal Filho: Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 20999 Hamburg, Germany
Yoshihide Wada: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Keywan Riahi: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Low-carbon energy transitions taking place worldwide are primarily driven by the integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. These variable renewable energy (VRE) sources require energy storage options to match energy demand reliably at different time scales. This article suggests using a gravitational-based energy storage method by making use of decommissioned underground mines as storage reservoirs, using a vertical shaft and electric motor/generators for lifting and dumping large volumes of sand. The proposed technology, called Underground Gravity Energy Storage (UGES), can discharge electricity by lowering large volumes of sand into an underground mine through the mine shaft. When there is excess electrical energy in the grid, UGES can store electricity by elevating sand from the mine and depositing it in upper storage sites on top of the mine. Unlike battery energy storage, the energy storage medium of UGES is sand, which means the self-discharge rate of the system is zero, enabling ultra-long energy storage times. Furthermore, the use of sand as storage media alleviates any risk for contaminating underground water resources as opposed to an underground pumped hydro storage alternative. UGES offers weekly to pluriannual energy storage cycles with energy storage investment costs of about 1 to 10 USD/kWh. The technology is estimated to have a global energy storage potential of 7 to 70 TWh and can support sustainable development, mainly by providing seasonal energy storage services.

Keywords: climate change; energy systems analysis; energy transition; gravitational energy storage; smart grid management; electricity storage model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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