Gravity Energy Storage and Its Feasibility in the Context of Sustainable Energy Management with an Example of the Possibilities of Mine Shafts in Poland

Katarzyna Tobór-Osadnik, Jacek Korski, Bożena Gajdzik (), Radosław Wolniak () and Wieslaw Grebski
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Katarzyna Tobór-Osadnik: Department of Safety Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Jacek Korski: KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Bożena Gajdzik: Department of Industrial Informatics, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Radosław Wolniak: Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Wieslaw Grebski: Penn State Hazleton, Pennsylvania State University, 76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 16802, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-23

Abstract: This paper discusses the viability and efficiency of gravity energy storage (GES) systems utilizing abandoned coal mine shafts in Poland as a new frontier of energy management within the broader framework of sustainable energy transition. After a thorough analysis of shaft infrastructure, economic factors, and regulatory environment, the research demonstrates how GES is in line with circular economy and sustainability principles yet there are certain technical and financial limitations—smaller lifting capacities and expensive adjustments, for instance—that are currently stalling its large-scale adoption. The results highlight the importance of harmonizing such repurposing efforts with the available renewable energy infrastructure and call for aggressive policy, technological, and funding efforts to sustain the conceptual promise with actual fulfilment.

Keywords: gravity energy storage; mines; coal mining; mine shafts; sustainable energy; energy transition (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: 2025
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