Renewable energy sources are central to the energy transition toward a more sustainable future. However, because sunshine and wind are inherently variable and inconsistent, finding ways to store energy in an accessible and efficient way is crucial. While there are many effective solutions for daily energy storage, the most common being batteries, a cost-effective long-term solution is still lacking.
In a new study led by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), an international team of researchers developed a novel way to store energy by transporting sand into abandoned underground mines. The new technique—called Underground Gravity Energy Storage (UGES)—proposes an effective long-term energy storage solution while also making use of now-defunct mining sites, which likely number in the millions globally.
An open-access paper on the work is…