In an architectural move that borders on science fiction, the renowned architecture and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), known for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, has partnered with Energy Vault Holdings, an innovative energy storage startup, with an ambitious goal: to transform the skyscrapers of the future into massive gravity-fed energy storage systems.
As the world moves toward greater adoption of renewable energy, the challenge of energy storage becomes increasingly critical. Solar and wind energy sources do not always coincide with peak demand, making it essential to find effective ways to store excess energy.
Gravity batteries: an ingenious solution
Gravity batteries offer a solution to this problem. This concept, although it may sound complex, is quite simple: when there is excess energy – coming from renewable sources such as solar or a standard electrical grid – it is used to lift weights, such as water or sand, creating potential energy. When demand increases and supply decreases, those weights are dropped, driving generators by the force of gravity and releasing stored energy.
“Combining our pioneering work in gravity energy storage technology with the experience and expertise of the world’s most prestigious engineering, design and architecture firm will provide the first platform to accelerate for the first time the amortization of carbon emissions in the construction and operation of buildings,” declared Robert Piconi, CEO of Energy Vault.
The skyscrapers of the future?
These skyscrapers would not be ordinary. They are designed to reach heights of up to 1,000 meters, with hollow structures that allow the integration of gravity energy storage systems (GESS). These giants not only promise to be self-sufficient, but could also supply energy to adjacent buildings, offering a possible solution to the intermittency of renewable sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
One design, known as EVu, uses a large weight that is raised and lowered, while another model, the EVc, proposes pumping water to the top of the building and dropping it to generate energy. These methods are reminiscent of existing pumped hydroelectric plants, but with a futuristic twist that integrates the technology directly into urban infrastructure.
Despite their potential, these systems face practical challenges, such as the ability to support additional weight, maintenance efficiency, and overall economic viability. However, with talents like Bill Baker, one of the creators of the Burj Khalifa, involved in the project, there is significant hope that these ideas will come to fruition.
Energy Vault has already demonstrated the viability of its technology with projects such as a 100 megawatt-hour facility in China and a pilot system in Switzerland which stores five megawatts of energy. The company continues to explore how to scale this technology to meet the growing demand for renewable energy.
Only time will tell if this revolutionary technology will see the light of day. If so, these skyscrapers would not only redefine urban skylines, but would also play a crucial role in the storage and management of renewable energy, capturing the world’s imagination and interest.
Felipe Espinosa Wang with information from SOM, Energy Vault Holdings, New Atlas and Futurism.
