Do you remember admiring one of those old grandfather clocks, with a weight that lowered while rotating a clockwork mechanism? Well, a gravity battery generates electricity following those self-same principles. We bring news of a 100 megawatt-hour gravity battery in China, that follows those principles too.
The 100 Megawatt-Hour Rudong Gravity Battery
Rudong County on the Yellow Sea coastline, is administered from Nantong City, in Jiangsu province, China. Rudong comprises 14 towns and 5 districts that are home to close to a million people. Swiss innovator Energy Vault collaborated to build a large gravity battery there.
It’s already evident that the 25 megawatt / 100 megawatt-hour gravity battery is setting targets for others to follow. Just to whet our appetite, the Energy Vault website boasts ‘industry leading round-trip efficiency of 80%, and a 35-year operating life’.
The Rudong gravity energy storage system (GESS) can deliver 25 megawatts-per-hour for four hours, before requiring recharging. It is situated next to a wind farm, which provides a connection to the Chinese national grid that it balances and supplements.
- The Rudong gravity battery uses surplus solar energy during off-peak periods to raise its gravity bricks, using electric motor-generators.
- When the national grid calls for the energy, the gravity battery lowers those weights, and generates energy with the electric motor-generators.
More Rudong Achievements Others Must Follow
The Rudong gravity energy storage system is part of China’s Zero-Carbon Parks initiative, and national 30-60 net carbon neutral plan. Its modular design, and recycled materials will help ensure the 100 megawatt-hour gravity battery project remains financially sustainable during its 35-year operating life.
More Information
Integrating Gravity Batteries in Buildings
