Revolutionizing Energy Storage in Building Design
Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) have announced a global exclusive partnership to integrate gravity energy storage systems (GESS) into building design. This collaboration aims to enhance sustainability, accelerate carbon payback, and reduce energy consumption costs.
SOM’s Role in the Partnership
SOM, known for designing iconic structures such as the Burj Khalifa and One World Trade Center, will be the exclusive architect and structural engineer for Energy Vault’s new GESS. This partnership will incorporate gravity energy storage technology into tall urban buildings and deployable structures in natural environments. The goal is to optimize the architecture, structure, and economics of these systems.
Innovations in Gravity Energy Storage
Energy Vault’s G-VAULT™ solutions leverage time-tested energy storage principles, AI-enabled software, and advanced materials science. These solutions provide long-duration storage, decoupling power and energy to offer flexible, efficient storage systems. They use eco-friendly materials, integrating waste materials for beneficial reuse, promoting a circular economy, and accelerating the global clean energy transition.
The partnership has already begun optimizing Energy Vault’s GESS technology, crucial for renewable energy deployment. The G-VAULT product suite, including the EVx™ platform, has been tested in Switzerland and is being developed in China, Egypt, Greece, and the South African Development Community. These systems are designed for scalability, aiming to reach multi-GWh storage capacities.
Innovative G-VAULT Solutions
- EVu™: A superstructure tower design for integrating GESS into tall buildings, offering multi-GWh storage capacity.
- EVc™: A modular water-based system for large-scale pumped hydro storage, designed for tall buildings.
- EVy™: Utilizes pre-existing slopes for energy storage, minimizing environmental impact and reducing construction costs.
- EV0™: A “modular pumped hydro” system eliminating concrete production and environmental disruptions, using a unique fabric vessel for water storage.
Impact and Future Prospects
This partnership is expected to open a new multi-billion dollar market segment focused on sustainable building design and energy efficiency. It aligns with SOM’s legacy of innovation in sustainability and Energy Vault’s mission to transform energy storage. The collaboration aims to provide accelerated carbon payback and enhance urban and natural landscapes with renewable energy architecture.
Robert Piconi, Chairman and CEO of Energy Vault, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting its potential to deliver groundbreaking sustainability solutions in building construction and operation. SOM partners Adam Semel and Scott Duncan, along with structural engineer Bill Baker, are leading the project, bringing extensive experience in architecture and engineering.
Energy Vault’s growing portfolio of GESS deployments includes significant expansions into African and Asian markets. The recent commissioning of the world’s first EVx™ gravity storage system in China marks a significant milestone. Future deployments are planned across the Southern African Development Community, with expectations of substantial contributions to the region’s energy storage needs.
Source：businesswire.com
