The Australian renewable-energy company, Green Gravity, has recently proposed an innovative plan to generate electricity from the defunct Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka. This intriguing scheme relies on low-tech gravity technology to create and store energy.
Understanding the Mechanism of Low-Tech Gravity Technology
Green Gravity’s plan involves using old mines, which can be hundreds or thousands of meters deep, as part of their electricity generation process. During the day, renewable power would be used to haul a weighted block, around 40 tonnes, to the top of the mine shaft.
In times when backup power is needed, such as during the night or on windless days, the heavy block would be released. Falling under gravity, the block’s momentum would then power a generator through a connected shaft or rotor. The depth to which the block can descend can be controlled by a braking system, thus allowing control over the amount of power produced.
This approach has similarities with the pumped hydropower storage method. This method pumps water uphill into a reservoir using electricity, and then releases it downhill to move a turbine, creating electricity when needed as with a hydroelectric power plant.
The Significance of Low-Tech Gravity Technology
One of the current challenges with renewable energy is its reliability. There can be periods, such as nights or windless days, when no power is generated. Using batteries as a backup solution increases power costs significantly. Low-tech gravity technology can help mitigate this problem.
While this technology may initially use more energy than it produces, it offers the benefit of making renewable energy available during off-peak hours. This leads to reduced reliance on coal-fueled power and provides access to reliable power without the need for expensive battery backups. Additionally, using weighted blocks instead of water means decommissioned mines can be repurposed, reducing environmental concerns related to moving water uphill.
Key Facts about Kolar Gold Fields
The Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) is a mining region situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka. It has historical significance due to its deep gold mines, some of the deepest globally. Initiated by Jhon Taylor & Sons in 1880, the mines stayed active for a lengthy 121 years before an unsystematic closure on February 28, 2001, due to high operational costs and insufficient revenues.
Beyond their function as gold mines, these sites have also been used in particle physics experiments. Research teams here discovered elusive cosmic particles known as atmospheric neutrinos.
India currently operates three working gold mines – the Hutti and Uti mines in Karnataka, and the Hirabuddini mines in Jharkhand. India’s yearly gold production is about 1.6 tonnes, a small amount compared to the 774 tonnes of gold consumed annually.
