Commercial architecture and energy are two topics that go hand in hand. Typically the focus is on ensuring the buildings are as green and sustainable as possible. One thing you generally wouldn’t see is ideas to use the properties, particularly skyscrapers, for storing energy. A new idea would do just that though with gravity batteries. Let’s have a look at it today.
What are they?
Most people probably haven’t heard of gravity batteries before. It is a method of storing energy that is typically only used in remote areas. What happens is energy is used to lift a weight. When you hold it at a height, it stores the power as potential gravitational energy. You can release it later when necessary by lowering the weight, generating electricity.
The leader in this field, Energy Vault, has two interesting projects. The first was built in Switzerland in 2020 as a demonstration of the idea. It showed it would work and be sustainable, delivering 75% efficiency. It would also be more cost effective and avoid topological limitations that hinder tech like pumped hydro power plants.
Energy Vault’s success with the demonstration got attention from China. As a result, they would form a partnership with Atlas Renewable and China Tianying to deliver a grid scale gravity energy storage system. It is around 140m tall. The expectation is it will have 80% efficiency.
Taking it to the next level
The latest idea for the tech is to upscale it massively. As you increase the height of the buildings, you improve efficiency. You can also generate more power to offset the carbon footprint. So, taller is better. It could have a huge impact on commercial architecture.
Energy Vault now has a partnership with SOM. The latter is exploring how to utilise the gravity energy storage system on skyscrapers. They are looking at concepts from 300m tall to a huge 1,000m. The latter would be taller than the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building.
The partnership is also looking at how they can deliver gravity energy storage in urban areas. The current buildings in Switzerland and China are in remote locations. However, they could potentially fit into the skyline and landscape of cities. This would have a big impact though, so it would require a lot of work on the planning side.
The amazing thing here is the potential space the towers could create. Energy storage requires equipment at the top and base of the buildings. However, the mass in the middle isn’t used for much. So, what if you could have an architectural function? It would mean you could have a skyscraper for efficient energy storage and different commercial uses.
The idea is definitely an interesting one. Impressively, it is spreading too. There are plans for six more plants in China. Then, there are proposals for Egypt, Greece, and the South African Development Community (a body with 16 members including Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia).
Do you need help with commercial architecture?
At Coffey Architects, we love how much potential buildings have. Creative designs and innovative ideas can make them sustainable, multi-functional, and beneficial to numerous stakeholders.
So, if you are planning commercial architecture and want some help, you can speak to us. We’d love to work with you.