As the world is focusing more on clean and renewable energy, there is still a big challenge that makes this form of energy unreliable. The drawback is that there is no power during the nights or windless days. To address this challenge, Australian researchers have come up with an innovative solution that uses low-tech gravity. The plan is to find defunct gold mines in Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka and generate power from them. In this essay, we will discuss this technology and its benefits.
The Idea
The researchers’ idea is to use defunct gold mines that are often hundreds or even thousands of meters deep. They plan to haul a ‘weighted block’ up to the top of the mine shaft using renewable power during the day when such power is available. This block could be as much as 40 tonnes. When backup power is required, the heavy block will fall under gravity, and the ensuing momentum will power a generator via a connected shaft. The depth to which the block can slip can be determined via a braking system, thus giving control over the amount of power that can be produced. This same principle underlies the ‘pumped hydropower’ storage.
Benefits
One of the significant benefits of using weighted blocks is that decommissioned mines can be put to use. It means that the environmental costs and challenges of moving water up can be avoided. Using gravity as the fuel means that critical water, land, and chemicals are dispensed off, which other storage technologies rely on.
Another significant benefit of this technology is that it can provide renewable energy during the night or windless days. This reliability factor makes this technology more attractive than other renewable energy options like solar and wind power.
In addition, this technology can help in reducing carbon emissions, which are one of the significant causes of global warming. By generating power from defunct gold mines, this technology can contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Why In News
Australian researchers have developed an innovative technology that aims to harness the power of gravity to generate electricity from defunct gold mines located in Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka. This sustainable solution has the potential to provide reliable and emission-free energy, while also repurposing abandoned mines and minimizing environmental impact.
MCQs on Gravity-Based Energy Storage
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What is the drawback of clean and renewable energy that makes it unreliable?
A. Lack of power during the nights or windless days.
B. High initial investment cost.
C. Difficulty in finding suitable locations.
D. Limited availability of renewable resources.
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What is the plan of Australian researchers to generate power from defunct gold mines in Kolar Gold Fields?
A. Haul a weighted block up to the top of the mine shaft using renewable power during the day, and let it fall under gravity to power a generator when backup power is required.
B. Use high-tech solar panels to harness energy from the sun.
C. Use wind turbines to generate energy from wind.
D. Build a hydroelectric power plant near the gold mines.
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What is one of the significant benefits of using weighted blocks to generate power from defunct gold mines?
A. It can provide renewable energy during the night or windless days.
B. It is a high-tech solution that requires minimal maintenance.
C. It is a cost-effective alternative to traditional power generation methods.
D. It can generate power without causing any harm to the environment.
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