Gravity Energy Storage | 18 Jan 2025

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

Gravity Energy Storage is emerging as an innovative and cost-effective solution to address a key challenge of renewable energy. It is also acting as a promising alternative to traditional battery energy storage. 

What is Gravity Energy Storage? 

• Definition: It is an innovative technology designed to store energy by leveraging the force of gravity. 
• Principle of Operation:The core principle of Gravity Energy Storage lies in potential energy.   
  • It involves lifting heavy masses during periods of excess energy generation and releasing them to produce electricity when needed. 
• Energy Conversion: A turbine or generator converts the descending motion of a piston into electricity. 
  • A common design involves a fluid-filled cylinder with a heavy piston.  
  • During surplus electricity generation, the piston is lifted, storing energy.  
  • When energy is needed, the piston descends, driving water through a turbine to produce power. 

• Environmental Sustainability: Unlike traditional battery storage, gravity energy systems avoid chemical-based energy storage, making them environmentally sustainable and long-lasting. 
• Advantages: 
  • Site Flexibility: Unlike pumped-hydro systems that require specific geographical features, gravity energy systems can be implemented in diverse locations. 
  • Scalability: Systems can be adapted to different energy capacities, making them ideal for grid-scale storage. 
  • Longevity: Minimal mechanical degradation ensures decades of operation with low maintenance. 

How Can Gravity Energy Storage Address the Challenges of Renewable Energy in India? 

• The Intermittency Issue: Solar and wind energy are not constant,  they depend on weather and time of day.  
  • With schemes like the National Solar Mission and expanding wind power capacities, gravity energy storage can help stabilize the grid by addressing intermittency.  
  • Reliable energy storage is essential to balance supply and demand, especially during peak usage or low production periods. 
• High Energy Capacity: Can store large amounts of energy, bridging the gap during low renewable production. 
• Low Environmental Impact: It reduces harmful chemical reactions, minimizing impact and disposal issues, supporting the transition to a greener planet. 
• India’s Renewable Energy Push: India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 under its renewable energy initiatives.  
  • Gravity energy storage can complement these efforts by providing reliable and cost-effective storage for the large-scale solar and wind projects being deployed across the country.