Gravity Energy Storage: A Review on System Types, Techno‐Economic Assessment and Integration With Renewable Energy

Abstract

Gravity energy storage (GES) technology relies on the vertical movement of heavy objects in the gravity field to store or release potential energy which can be easily coupled to electricity conversion. GES can be matched with renewable energy such as photovoltaic and wind power. Considering the potential relevance of GES in the future power market, this review focuses on different types of GES, their techno‐economic assessment, and integration with renewable energy. The review shows that pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) has reached a high maturity level as a technical system and is well covered by economic evaluation methods, whereas solid gravity energy storage (SGES) is still in an initial stage for system design and assessment. Development and improvement of integration methods between various renewable energy sources and GES are key future development directions.