Humans have long used tall buildings to demonstrate the power of empires, rulers, religions and corporations. Today, as the number of tall buildings continues to rise, these skyscrapers may soon take on a new function: storing renewable energy.
The challenges of renewable energy storage
One of the major obstacles in the transition to a clean energy grid is the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Solar panels cannot produce electricity when it's cloudy and wind turbines are ineffective without wind. Renewable energy production can sometimes exceed demand, requiring efficient storage solutions to balance production and consumption. A combination of different technologies, from different types of batteries to other storage methods, is essential to increase capacity.
Introducing Battery Skyscrapers
In late May, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), known for designing some of the world's tallest buildings, announced it was partnering with energy storage company Energy Vault to develop a gravity-based energy storage solution. These skyscrapers, which could reach heights of 300 to 1,000 meters (985 to 3,300 feet), would be equipped with a mechanism to store electricity as potential energy using giant blocks. When energy demand is low, these blocks would rise to store energy. When demand peaks, the blocks would descend to convert the potential energy into electricity, which can then be consumed.
Reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 requires significant advances in grid-scale storage technologies that can store and use energy when needed. Lithium-ion batteries are good for short-term storage but cannot retain energy for long periods. Pumped hydroelectricity, which involves pumping water to high altitudes during off-peak hours and releasing it when needed to generate electricity, is effective but requires specific terrain and space. SOM and Energy Vault are exploring incorporating such methods into skyscrapers in tandem with their gravity storage designs.
Economic feasibility and future prospects
Energy Vault has already deployed a 150-meter (492-foot) tall energy storage system in China, demonstrating the feasibility of commercial-scale gravity storage. But some experts question whether the economics of batteries in skyscrapers would work because of the space and structural modifications required. Nonetheless, Energy Vault and SOM are optimistic about its commercial potential.
Tackling carbon emissions and urbanization
Skyscrapers are a source of carbon dioxide emissions, but incorporating renewable energy storage could help reduce them. Innovations in building materials and design, such as green towers with vegetation, also aim to reduce emissions. As urbanization drives demand for high-rise buildings, energy-efficient skyscrapers could play a key role in sustainable development.
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