What Goes Up Comes Down As Green Energy

When the sun does not shine, and the wind does not blow, and the seas are calm, traditionalists say turn on conventional power. You see, they triumphantly claim your renewables are not the solution you say. However, there are other things we can do besides build immense batteries. Because what goes up comes down as green energy according to the laws of gravity.

Green Energy on Tap as What Goes Up Comes Down

Earth’s gravity comes from its mass. NASA Science Space Place explains this draws objects to its center. However, the weight of an object multiples the effect, although the power reduces with distance. That is why what goes up always has an urge to come down to earth.

Using this awesome power to generate energy in gravity towers is cutting edge technology. Although as Alasdair Lane explains in BBC Future Planet, engineers we have been doing this with hydro power stations for over a century.

But even that was not new at the time. That’s because there’s evidence the ancients used power of water tumbling down rivers to turn wheels to grind flour in ancient times. Moreover this was not necessarily an exclusive invention. The Greeks, the Romans, the Babylonians, and yes the Chinese all used this awesome renewable power!

what goes up comes down as green energy — A Water Piston in a Raging River (Wang Zhen 1290 to 1333 BY Public Domain)

Could We Make Gravity Work in Disused Mines?

Gravitricity in United Kingdom believes this is feasible. In April 2021 it trialed the system using a 50 ton iron weight it ratcheted up a 49-foot tower, and then lowered slowly. This produced 250kW of instant power, enough to briefly sustain around 750 homes.

The same company is currently examining decommissioned coal mine shafts in Britain, Eastern Europe, South Africa, and Chile. Managing director Charlie Blair says “Why build towers when we can use the geology of the earth to hold up our weights?” We think that’s a good example of deep thinking!