Green Gravity looks to energy storage in Mt Isa

Gravitational energy storage developer Green Gravity has begun minesite concept engineering, and local community engagement in Mount Isa, Queensland for the deployment of up to 2 GWh of gravitational energy storage.

Green Gravity is working with the Mount Isa City Council and copper mining company Glencore to examine the potential of utilising mineshafts at the Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines for renewable energy storage.

The study includes assessing the potential to sustainably repurpose multiple mineshafts within the Mount Isa Copper Operations as they cease to be required for mining operations.

It also focuses at potential manufacturing opportunities such as production of the weights used in Green Gravity’s system.

The Founder and CEO of Green Gravity Mark Swinnerton said: “Mount Isa is an ideal location for the deployment of gravitational energy storage.

“The region has an abundance of solar energy resource, matched with a long history of deep underground mining leading to a large population of high-quality legacy mineshafts.”

Green Gravity gas signed a MOU with the council which includes:

• Energy and Economic Development: Assess the potential of converting disused deep mineshafts in the Mount Isa region into more than 2 GWh of renewable energy storage infrastructure.
• Collaboration and Innovation: Foster collaboration between industry, local government, and the clean technology sector to drive decarbonisation and the potential to add manufacturing jobs to support an energy storage infrastructure rollout.
• Workforce Reskilling: Develop strategies to retrain and upskill the local workforce
• And Community Engagement: Engage with local stakeholders, including First Nations communities, to build awareness and support. for the potential of gravitational energy storage in the region.

Gravitational energy storage represents a significant economic option for Mount Isa, and Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) assets could create over 350 full-time equivalent jobs during its development phase.

The General Manager Health, Safety, Environment and Community of Glencore, said: “This presents a potential opportunity to repurpose mine infrastructure on the closure of Mount Isa Copper Mine and contribute to the long-term resilience and success of the Mount Isa Community.”

Picture: Green Gravity Mt Isa MOU signing