The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management at AGH is proud to announce its involvement in the GrEnMine project (Gravitational Energy Storage in the Post-Mine Areas), which addresses one of the most critical challenges in modern energy systems – effective energy storage. The GrEnMine project is being carried out by an international consortium of ten partners from six European Union countries, including distinguished experts from our faculty, led by Prof. Marek Cała, the Dean of the Faculty.

What is the GrEnMine Project?

GrEnMine is an innovative project aimed at developing and implementing gravity-based energy storage technology designed for use in post-mining areas and overburden dumps. This technology leverages gravitational energy by moving heavy blocks or granular materials between different height levels. When energy is needed, these materials are lowered, generating power that can be fed into the energy grid.

Why is Energy Storage Crucial?

In the context of global energy transition, striving for carbon neutrality demands advanced and reliable energy storage systems. Without adequate solutions in this field, the entire process of transitioning to renewable energy sources could be jeopardized. A notable example is Germany in 2016, where a 12 GW energy surplus resulting from an exceptionally sunny and windy day cost the country 21 million euros in just one day, highlighting the importance of effective energy storage systems.

Goals of the GrEnMine Project

The primary goal of the GrEnMine project is to create an innovative energy storage system that will not only contribute to stabilizing energy systems based on renewable sources but also open new opportunities for coal regions in Europe. The project includes the following key activities:

• Potential Analysis of Post-Mining Areas: Developing a database of European opencast coal mines and overburden dumps to assess their suitability for gravity-based energy storage technology.
• Development of New Technology: Designing and implementing innovative energy storage systems that can be installed in post-mining areas and other suitable locations.
• Benchmarking and Testing: Modeling and evaluating the new technology through laboratory testing and mine environment trials in collaboration with project partner, PGE.
• Creation of Assessment Tools: Developing a comprehensive tool to assess the potential of post-mining areas for implementing gravity-based energy storage systems.

The Importance of GrEnMine for the Energy Transition

The GrEnMine project is of strategic importance to the energy transition in Europe, particularly for coal regions. Through innovative solutions, the project contributes to the goals of the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy and stabilizing energy systems based on renewable energy sources.

Impact on Post-Mining Regions

GrEnMine also presents an opportunity to give a second life to post-mining areas, which are often neglected after mining operations cease. With this new technology, these areas can become key points in the energy storage network, bringing both environmental and economic benefits.

Conclusion

The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management at AGH is actively participating in the GrEnMine project, which has the potential to revolutionize energy storage and support the energy transition in Europe. Through collaboration with international partners, our faculty is making a significant contribution to the development of modern technologies that will drive a sustainable energy future.

Follow our news to stay updated on the progress of the GrEnMine project and other initiatives from our faculty!

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