Tag Archives: Mark Swinnerton

Green Gravity and RUC to explore gravitational energy storage systems potential

Mine shafts and equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Green Gravity and underground mining contractor RUC have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the commercialisation of gravitational energy storage systems.

The MoU sets out cooperation on technical opportunities, data insights and commercial arrangements, according to Green Gravity.

Green Gravity’s energy storage system moves heavy weights vertically in legacy mine shafts to capture and release the gravitational potential energy of the weights. By using proven mechanical parts and disused mine shafts, Green Gravity’s energy storage technology is low-cost, long-life and environmentally compelling, the company claims. The technology improves the economics of wind and solar power, leading to a faster and lower cost transition away from fossil fuels, it added.

The partnership brings together RUC’s deep capability in shaft sinking and mine shaft hoisting operations with Green Gravity’s energy storage technology. The combination of these skills has the potential to significantly accelerate and to improve the deployment of gravitational energy storage systems into mine shafts, according to the companies.

According to Mark Swinnerton, founder and CEO of Green Gravity, the partnership represents an important step in the technology development. Bringing the extensive mine shaft experience of RUC to the design team ensures the best industry knowledge is being integrated into the energy storage technology.

He said: “Green Gravity is bringing new technology to an existing population of mine shafts. Partnering with a leading organisation who sunk many of those shafts is an obvious choice. Bringing the experience of RUC to the table allows the best knowledge of existing operations to be included into our cutting-edge renewable energy technology.

“With detailed design underway for our commercial-scale energy storage system, integrating the global scale and innovative thinking of RUC to areas like the vertical transit system and mine winder design will generate superior outcomes for the technology. RUC is a recognised industry leader and Green Gravity is proud to be working with them.

“The recent construction of the Gravity Lab in Port Kembla NSW has taken Green Gravity’s technology to the next level. Integrating the technical advancements of the electrical and control systems with the latest underground mining knowledge of RUC will lead to enhanced capability for our renewable energy technology.

“Green Gravity’s energy storage technology represents a breakthrough in the search for economic long-duration storage of renewable energy. By re-using mining assets, costs can be kept low. By using gravity as the fuel, we dispense with consuming the critical water, land, and chemicals which other storage technologies rely on.”

Sean Henley, Associate Director Shafts and Underground Construction at RUC, said: “We are excited to partner with Green Gravity to develop and deliver a sustainable energy storage solution. This collaboration is a perfect fit and a great opportunity to provide our specialist expertise and help contribute to a greener future.”

GHD gets behind Green Gravity’s gravitational energy storage pursuit

Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, , , , , , ,

Green Gravity and GHD have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the commercialisation of gravitational energy storage systems.

The MoU aims to pursue the development of new applications for the Green Gravity technology, accelerating the commercialisation of the gravitational energy storage systems technology solution using the expertise and connections of GHD, the companies say.

In a wide-ranging partnership, Green Gravity and GHD will collaborate on technical engineering, policy and regulatory matters and electricity grid connectivity practices and will work together to deliver world-class governance and processes in engineering design, they added.

The companies said: “By working in partnership, Green Gravity and GHD aim to provide a tangible example of how connectivity between the engineering services sector and the clean technology development sector can accelerate decarbonisation in the electricity system.”

Green Gravity’s energy storage system moves heavy weights vertically in legacy mine shafts to capture and release the gravitational potential energy of the weights. By using proven mechanical parts and disused mine shafts, Green Gravity’s energy storage technology is low-cost, long life and environmentally compelling, the company claims. The technology improves the economics of wind and solar power, leading to a faster and lower cost transition away from fossil fuels, it added.

Last month, the company signed a separate MoU with Yancoal to study the potential of the energy storage technology at the mining company’s former Austar coal mine in New South Wales.

According to Mark Swinnerton, Founder and CEO of Green Gravity, the partnership demonstrates the potential impact of integration and connectivity between providers of new energy solutions to support Australia’s clean energy transition.

“Green Gravity is excited to partner with one of the world’s leading engineering companies in the next stage of our technology commercialisation,” he said. “Our organisations have strongly aligned interests and, by coming together, we can make an important contribution to the rapidly escalating clean energy transition challenge.

“Green Gravity’s energy storage technology represents a breakthrough in the search for economic long-duration storage of renewable energy. By re-using mining assets, costs can be kept low. By using gravity as the fuel, we dispense with consuming the critical water, land, and chemicals which other storage technologies rely on.”

Daniel Todd, GHD’s Market Leader – Energy and Resources, added: “GHD is excited to collaborate with Green Gravity in the development of long-duration energy storage solutions, supporting Australia’s transition to a decarbonised energy system. GHD brings experience across all aspects of Green Gravity’s project development program and is aligned with Green Gravity’s focus on repurposing mining assets as part of the solution.”