Gravitricity discovers Czech coal mine for MW-scale storage

• Final site decision for the Staric site near boundary right into Poland is anticipated in 2022

Scottish power storage outfit Gravitricity is discovering the potential to transform a former Czech coal mine right into an energy storage plant with a capability of approximately 8MW.

Gravitricity is discovering a shortlist of websites Europe-wide, which include a current goal to the Staric mine in the Moravian Silesian area of Czechia, where 6 deep mining sites were formally transitioned right into an article mining stage previously this year.

The Staric mine lies within a large coal area which expands across the boundary right into Poland.

The mine shaft extends to a depth of over one km underground.

In the check out to the mine, Gravitricity satisfied state-run mine proprietor DIAMO, along with the local federal government and also regional stakeholders consisting of VSB Technical University of Ostrava.

A final website decision is planned for early next year.

If successful, the project could be a "pathfinder" for other such deployments of the company's innovation in Europe, Gravitricity stated.

Gravitricity specialises in gravity energy storage space, which stores as well as discharges energy by lifting as well as decreasing substantial weights in a shaft.

The storage clothing has already shown a scale variation of its technology in Edinburgh, constructed in partnership with Dutch winch professional Huisman.

The following action is to start a full-scale 4-8MW model system in a disused mine following year.

This solitary weight system might deliver up to two megawatt hours (MWh) of power storage space, while future multi-weight systems might have capability of 25MWh or even more.

Gravitricity project growth manager Chris Yendell claimed: "By making use of former coal mines as substantial power stores, we can locate brand-new uses for existing framework and also assistance mitigate the social impact on mining areas.

" We got a very warm welcome in Czechia as well as have actually received an official letter of support from the region's guv."