Gravitricty plans 4MW storage in former Czech mine

• Scottish company indications MoU with DIAMO to seek EU funds to convert Darkov site

Gravitricity has actually signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DIAMO to seek EU funds to transform the former Darkov deep mine in the Czech Republic into a massive power store.

Both hope the partnership to create a 4MW power store could be a pathfinder for projects Europe-wide.

DIAMO is the Czech state business charged with alleviating the repercussions of uranium ore and coal mining in the republic.

Gravitricity additionally signed a memorandum with VSB Technical University of Ostrava, whose specialist mining experience will certainly support the implementation of Gravitricity's modern technology into the existing mine.

The Darkov mine lies in the coal-rich Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic, near the city of Karviná.

Building and construction began in 1972, to accessibility thick joints of coal greater than 700 metres below the surface area, and at its peak it utilized around 4000 individuals.

Gravitricity plans to keep power by decreasing and also increasing a solitary massive weight suspended in the Darkov mine shaft.

The Edinburgh firm has currently shown a scale version of their innovation in Edinburgh-- built in partnership with Dutch winch experts Huisman-- as well as currently intends to construct full-scale schemes in the UK as well as worldwide.

Future multi-weight systems might have a capacity of 25MWh or even more, Gravitricity said.

Gravitricity managing supervisor Charlie Blair said: "A low carbon globe will require vast amounts of energy storage, and also at Gravitricity we have developed a long-life power storage technology which can shipment super-fast power as well as offers several of the most effective features of lithium batteries and also pumped hydro storage.

" We hope our partnership with DIAMO will enable us to demonstrate this modern technology at range as well as offer a possible future for coal mines that are approaching completion of their original service life."

Ludvík Kašpar, chief executive of DIAMO said: "Our primary task is to give the liquidation of mines, but at the same time we are searching for new uses for the mine sites according to the needs of the area.

" The Gravitricity project is an opportunity for mines and likewise for our experts, that can try dealing with new projects and also collaboration with a foreign entity.

" We have a lot of work ahead of us, we require to check all aspects and also dangers associated with operation of the mine."

At Darkov, DIAMO is also preparing to build a photovoltaic power plant and is thinking about the production of green hydrogen.

The site will likewise be house to an experimental greenhouse project-- called EDEN Silesia-- managed by the Silesian University.

Worldwide, Gravitricity approximates there are around 14,000 mines which could be appropriate for gravity energy storage.