Green Gravity and Wollongong Resources Finalise Deal for Gravity Storage Trials at Russell Vale Mine

Exciting news from the iAccelerate community! Green Gravity, one of our innovative resident companies, has teamed up with Wollongong Resources to launch groundbreaking gravitational energy storage trials at the Russell Vale mine. This partnership builds on the MOU announced back in December 2023, and it's a huge step forward in the Illawarra’s journey towards sustainable energy solutions right here in Wollongong.

The Russell Vale site, with its multiple mineshafts, is perfect for deploying Green Gravity's cutting-edge clean energy technology. The #4 mineshaft will be the world's first to host this revolutionary gravitational energy storage system.  

During the trials, Green Gravity will be repurposing existing infrastructure and installing new electrical and mechanical components. The site will stay non-grid connected, with energy storage tests conducted at 150 kilowatts (kW) of power. These tests will explore energy exchange at depths of up to 400 metres, providing crucial data for scaling the technology. 

Green Gravity's initial technical trials at the Gravity Lab™ in BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks have already provided valuable performance data. The transition of this knowledge to the Russell Vale #4 mineshaft will validate the technology in a real-world environment - a pivotal step in the global deployment of underground gravitational energy storage.  

While the trials will operate at 150 kW, the mechanical components and control systems will be tested at a scale suitable for future commercial deployments. Green Gravity's technology is expected to deliver up to 10 megawatts (MW) of power with durations ranging from 8 to 20 hours per mineshaft. 

Green Gravity is in the final stages of a feasibility study to enable the permitting and construction of the demonstration plant. The company anticipates making a final investment decision within months, aiming to advance large-scale production trials by 2026. 

Mark Swinnerton, Founder and CEO of Green Gravity, stated, "Wollongong is an ideal location for deploying our innovative clean energy technology. The region's industrial power demand and rich coal mining history make it perfect for our gravitational energy storage solutions. This project highlights the role of our technology in transitioning to low-carbon energy sources." 

Sanjay Sharma, Company Secretary of Wollongong Resources, added, "Our partnership with Green Gravity is a significant step towards reducing emissions and supporting a low-carbon future. This project showcases how legacy coal infrastructure can be transformed into assets for a cleaner, more sustainable future." 

Congratulations to the team at Green Gravity on this exciting clean energy development in Wollongong. 

^{Featured image: Courtesy of Green Gravity, Demonsatration Site, Russell Vale}