Germany activates a gravity battery tower that stores energy by lifting 35-ton blocks

[robosmith]

For those of you who believe there is ONLY ONE viable energy source (gnat girl), here is another for storage of wind and solar energy that makes those RELIABLE.

 

Quote

Germany activates a gravity battery tower that stores energy by lifting 35-ton blocks into the sky

On a grassy hill near the ghost village of Morschenich, Germany has quietly turned on one of the most futuristic energy systems on Earth — a mechanical tower that lifts and lowers 35-ton concrete blocks to store and release electricity. It’s the world’s first grid-connected gravity battery tower, and it may completely redefine how we store renewable energy without chemicals, fire risk, or degradation.

The tower, developed by Swiss startup Energy Vault in partnership with Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE, operates like a giant vertical crane. When excess solar or wind energy floods the grid, the system uses it to hoist dozens of heavy blocks into elevated positions. That energy is stored as gravitational potential — essentially, electricity turned into altitude. When demand spikes, the blocks descend, spinning turbines to generate electricity back into the grid.

It sounds deceptively simple, but the internal tech is anything but. Regenerative motors allow instant dispatch of power with 90% round-trip efficiency. There are no batteries to degrade, no lithium or cobalt, and no thermal instability. The entire tower is projected to last over 30 years — far longer than any chemical battery system available today.

What sets it apart is its AI-powered control system, which constantly analyzes weather forecasts, energy pricing, and grid demand. It decides in real-time whether to store or release energy — and does it autonomously. During a test this spring, the 120-meter tower delivered 20 megawatt-hours of stable electricity — enough to run a small town for six hours without interruption.

Because it’s modular, towers can be scaled up or down depending on need. Germany already plans larger versions for wind-rich areas in Bavaria and hybrid solar-gravity hubs near offshore wind ports. The goal: reduce lithium dependency, cut peak power strain, and offer instant backup power during supply dips — all with no emissions.

As nations grapple with intermittent renewables and rising energy demands, Germany’s mechanical tower offers a quietly revolutionary answer: a zero-chemical, zero-emission power bank that runs on height and gravity.

[robosmith]

Another viable source of energy for proving gnat girl WRONG. LMAO

 

Germany built a seawall that generates electricity from crashing waves — silently, endlessly

In the Baltic coastal town of Rostock, Germany has turned its shoreline into an invisible power plant. Their new seawall doesn't just protect the land — it quietly captures wave energy and converts it into usable grid power, 24 hours a day.

Beneath the concrete exterior are oscillating water columns — hollow chambers where wave motion forces air through turbines. Each wave pulse compresses and releases trapped air, spinning twin-directional generators with no external moving parts. It’s efficient, silent, and built to last.

The design is modular: each seawall segment adds another 100 kW of power. The initial installation spans just 500 meters but already powers hundreds of nearby homes — without wind, sun, or fuel. And because the generators are inside the wall, they’re shielded from corrosion, storms, and marine life.

This kind of hybrid infrastructure turns a cost — coastal defense — into a renewable asset. As sea levels rise, Germany’s wavewall offers double value: protection and production, all while blending into the landscape.

Plans are underway to scale the tech along northern ports and even integrate it with offshore floating farms. It’s renewable power that hides in plain sight — and never stops moving.

[herbie]

35 tons? Invite Donnie and all the Deniers to come see it, then drop it on their heads.

[robosmith]

1 hour ago, herbie said:

35 tons? Invite Donnie and all the Deniers to come see it, then drop it on their heads.

Per the article, I believe "35 ton blockS" refers to more than one.

The whole weight may be MULTIPLE 35 ton blocks.

 

[User]

On 7/23/2025 at 4:27 PM, robosmith said:

For those of you who believe there is ONLY ONE viable energy source (gnat girl), here is another for storage of wind and solar energy that makes those RELIABLE.

How are you this dumb?

There is literally no source for this information other than some random post on Facebook idi0ts like you are mindlessly copying and pasting. 

That is not even a real picture. 

[Deluge]

On 7/23/2025 at 3:27 PM, robosmith said:

For those of you who believe there is ONLY ONE viable energy source (gnat girl), here is another for storage of wind and solar energy that makes those RELIABLE.

 

I hope they weren't using gas powered vehicles to load those blocks. We all know how critically fragile the environment is right now. It's enough to make anyone cry. 

 

[robosmith]

48 minutes ago, User said:

How are you this dumb?

There is literally no source for this information other than some random post on Facebook idi0ts like you are mindlessly copying and pasting. 

That is not even a real picture. 

So what? Are you claiming it doesn't exist and/or cannot work?

[robosmith]

29 minutes ago, Deluge said:

I hope they weren't using gas powered vehicles to load those blocks. We all know how critically fragile the environment is right now. It's enough to make anyone cry. 

 

I hope someday you'll stop posting BULLSHIT.

 

 

 

 

[Deluge]

1 hour ago, robosmith said:

I hope someday you'll stop posting BULLSHIT.

Robomarx doesn't give a shit about the environment, the f*cking hypocrite. 

[User]

2 hours ago, robosmith said:

So what? Are you claiming it doesn't exist and/or cannot work?

I am saying you are a fool who mindlessly copied and pasted something having no clue if it was real or not, and as far as I can tell, there is no evidence it is other than other mindless fools like you copying and pasting some persons poorly generated AI post on facebook. 

 

[Legato]

On 7/23/2025 at 6:03 PM, robosmith said:

Another viable source of energy for proving gnat girl WRONG. LMAO

 

Germany built a seawall that generates electricity from crashing waves — silently, endlessly

In the Baltic coastal town of Rostock, Germany has turned its shoreline into an invisible power plant. Their new seawall doesn't just protect the land — it quietly captures wave energy and converts it into usable grid power, 24 hours a day.

Beneath the concrete exterior are oscillating water columns — hollow chambers where wave motion forces air through turbines. Each wave pulse compresses and releases trapped air, spinning twin-directional generators with no external moving parts. It’s efficient, silent, and built to last.

The design is modular: each seawall segment adds another 100 kW of power. The initial installation spans just 500 meters but already powers hundreds of nearby homes — without wind, sun, or fuel. And because the generators are inside the wall, they’re shielded from corrosion, storms, and marine life.

This kind of hybrid infrastructure turns a cost — coastal defense — into a renewable asset. As sea levels rise, Germany’s wavewall offers double value: protection and production, all while blending into the landscape.

Plans are underway to scale the tech along northern ports and even integrate it with offshore floating farms. It’s renewable power that hides in plain sight — and never stops moving.

Examples of Failed Wave Energy Projects:

• Wello:

  The Finnish company Wello, known for its Penguin wave energy device, declared bankruptcy and ceased operations after two of its full-scale devices failed in real sea conditions. 

   
• Sustainable Marine Energy:

  This UK-based company, which had been developing tidal power in the Bay of Fundy, filed for bankruptcy after encountering difficulties securing permits and facing financial challenges. 

   
• Carnegie Clean Energy:

  The company's Albany wave farm project in Western Australia was abandoned due to financial difficulties and the withdrawal of government funding. 

   
• Ocean Power Technologies:

  A $233 million wave power project proposed for Portland, Victoria, was abandoned in 2014 after the company deemed it not commercially viable. 

   
• Pelamis and Aquamarine Power:

  Two Scottish wave energy developers, Pelamis and Aquamarine, which were once seen as leading the way, both folded after encountering financial and technical hurdles. 

   

Reasons for Failure:

• Technical Issues:

  Wave energy converters face harsh ocean conditions, leading to equipment failures, high maintenance costs, and reliability problems. 

   
• Economic Challenges:

  High capital costs, operational expenses, and the need for significant government support can make wave energy projects economically unviable. 

   
• Regulatory Hurdles:

  Navigating complex permitting processes and gaining regulatory approval for wave energy projects can be a major obstacle. 

   
• Lack of Commercial Viability:

  Many projects have struggled to demonstrate that they can generate electricity at a competitive cost. 

   
• Limited Government Support:

  A lack of consistent and long-term government funding and incentives has also hampered the development of wave energy. 

   

Key Takeaways:

• Wave energy is a challenging technology to commercialize, with a high failure rate among early projects. 
   
• Technical and economic challenges, combined with regulatory hurdles, have hindered the widespread adoption of wave energy. 
   
• A clear regulatory path and sustained government support are crucial for the future of wave energy development. 
   

 

• Carnegie Clean Energy's failed Albany wave farm project ...

  Mar 12, 2019 — However, no-one disputes that Carnegie's financial woes were the key factor in the failure of the project, which were ...

  

  ABC News

   

  
   
• Latest failure: firm bidding to produce power from Fundy tides ...

  Sep 5, 2024 — Latest failure: firm bidding to produce power from Fundy tides files for bankruptcy. Latest failure: firm bidding to pr...

  

  CityNews Halifax

   

  
   
• Wello files for bankruptcy and ceases wave energy operations

  Sep 20, 2023 — Fifteen years after its establishment, the Finnish company Wello has declared bankruptcy and ceased operations followi...

  

  Offshore-Energy.biz

   
   
•  

 

 

[robosmith]

29 minutes ago, User said:

I am saying you are a fool who mindlessly copied and pasted something having no clue if it was real or not, and as far as I can tell, there is no evidence it is other than other mindless fools like you copying and pasting some persons poorly generated AI post on facebook. 

 

So you really HAVE NO IDEA if it's real and CAN WORK but still believe I am a "fool" for posting it.

IF you were an engineer like me, you'd know just from looking at it that it makes a lot of sense and has great potential.

But YOU have no idea about that, cause you're LUser and are going to look really stupid when you find out I KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT IT THAN YOU. Go ahead and make yourself appear even MORE STUPID.

[robosmith]

5 minutes ago, Legato said:

Examples of Failed Wave Energy Projects:

• Wello:

  The Finnish company Wello, known for its Penguin wave energy device, declared bankruptcy and ceased operations after two of its full-scale devices failed in real sea conditions. 

   
• Sustainable Marine Energy:

  This UK-based company, which had been developing tidal power in the Bay of Fundy, filed for bankruptcy after encountering difficulties securing permits and facing financial challenges. 

   
• Carnegie Clean Energy:

  The company's Albany wave farm project in Western Australia was abandoned due to financial difficulties and the withdrawal of government funding. 

   
• Ocean Power Technologies:

  A $233 million wave power project proposed for Portland, Victoria, was abandoned in 2014 after the company deemed it not commercially viable. 

   
• Pelamis and Aquamarine Power:

  Two Scottish wave energy developers, Pelamis and Aquamarine, which were once seen as leading the way, both folded after encountering financial and technical hurdles. 

   

Reasons for Failure:

• Technical Issues:

  Wave energy converters face harsh ocean conditions, leading to equipment failures, high maintenance costs, and reliability problems. 

   
• Economic Challenges:

  High capital costs, operational expenses, and the need for significant government support can make wave energy projects economically unviable. 

   
• Regulatory Hurdles:

  Navigating complex permitting processes and gaining regulatory approval for wave energy projects can be a major obstacle. 

   
• Lack of Commercial Viability:

  Many projects have struggled to demonstrate that they can generate electricity at a competitive cost. 

   
• Limited Government Support:

  A lack of consistent and long-term government funding and incentives has also hampered the development of wave energy. 

   

Key Takeaways:

• Wave energy is a challenging technology to commercialize, with a high failure rate among early projects. 
   
• Technical and economic challenges, combined with regulatory hurdles, have hindered the widespread adoption of wave energy. 
   
• A clear regulatory path and sustained government support are crucial for the future of wave energy development. 
   

 

• Carnegie Clean Energy's failed Albany wave farm project ...

  Mar 12, 2019 — However, no-one disputes that Carnegie's financial woes were the key factor in the failure of the project, which were ...

  

  ABC News

   

  
   
• Latest failure: firm bidding to produce power from Fundy tides ...

  Sep 5, 2024 — Latest failure: firm bidding to produce power from Fundy tides files for bankruptcy. Latest failure: firm bidding to pr...

  

  CityNews Halifax

   

  
   
• Wello files for bankruptcy and ceases wave energy operations

  Sep 20, 2023 — Fifteen years after its establishment, the Finnish company Wello has declared bankruptcy and ceased operations followi...

  

  Offshore-Energy.biz

   
   
•  

 

 

 

Neither of the two technologies I posted here are "wave energy," Duh

 

Are you really so stupid you didn't notice that?

 

Of course the other thing you didn't notice is that infant technologies always have HURDLES TO CLEAR.

Edited July 25, 2025 by robosmith

[Legato]

2 minutes ago, robosmith said:

IF you were an engineer like me, you'd know just from looking at it that it makes a lot of sense and has great potential.

 

If you were an engineer you would realise the friction losses in the lifting mechanism would severely outweigh any benefits gained.

[Legato]

1 minute ago, robosmith said:

 

Germany built a seawall that generates electricity from crashing waves — silently, endlessly

In the Baltic coastal town of Rostock, Germany has turned its shoreline into an invisible power plant. Their new seawall doesn't just protect the land — it quietly captures wave energy and converts it into usable grid power, 24 hours a day.

[robosmith]

1 minute ago, Legato said:

If you were an engineer you would realise the friction losses in the lifting mechanism would severely outweigh any benefits gained.

Have you never heard of grease, gears, and ball bearings?

What makes you believe the friction is so severe that it cannot be mitigated?

These are German engineers who obviously know a thing or two about friction.

[robosmith]

2 minutes ago, Legato said:

Germany built a seawall that generates electricity from crashing waves — silently, endlessly

In the Baltic coastal town of Rostock, Germany has turned its shoreline into an invisible power plant. Their new seawall doesn't just protect the land — it quietly captures wave energy and converts it into usable grid power, 24 hours a day.

Crashing waves is different than previous attempts at wave energy which convert the up and down motion of floats.

[CdnFox]

3 hours ago, robosmith said:

So what? Are you claiming it doesn't exist and/or cannot work?

The math doesn't look good on it. Based on what they claim the picture and the energy output aren't jiving. 

35 raised to a height of 120 m would have 9490000 joules of potential energy right? even at 100 percent conversion that's 11.43 kw hours. 

So how are they getting 20 megawatts out of that? You can't get more energy out of a system than you put into it, the numbers don't lie it's not even close. Not to mention that a 120 M tower is one hell of a tall tower

I mean do the math yourself by, this sounds like a hoax

[Legato]

31 minutes ago, robosmith said:

Have you never heard of grease, gears, and ball bearings?

What makes you believe the friction is so severe that it cannot be mitigated?

These are German engineers who obviously know a thing or two about friction.

As I said energy input compared to energy output would make the whole system an energy waste engine.

A Dillon-Wagoner generator would be more viable.

[User]

1 hour ago, robosmith said:

So you really HAVE NO IDEA if it's real and CAN WORK but still believe I am a "fool" for posting it.

No, you are a fool. I don't believe that. 

 

[robosmith]

2 hours ago, Legato said:

As I said energy input compared to energy output would make the whole system an energy waste engine.

A Dillon-Wagoner generator would be more viable.

According to the coverage, the the output/input efficiency is high at 90%. Did you not read this:

Quote

Regenerative motors allow instant dispatch of power with 90% round-trip efficiency. 

Where do you IMAGINE the friction would be too high on vertical rails?

[paxamericana]

Global warming is a good thing, why are we trying to change that? We're already overdue for another ice age which tend to last in the millions of years. @robosmith if you're not generating cow farts then you're destroying the planet. 

[robosmith]

1 hour ago, User said:

No, you are a fool. I don't believe that. 

In reality, you have NO EVIDENCE so your assertion is merely BELIEF.

Also the reality is that your google skills SUCK.

Massive, Gravity-Based Battery Towers Could Solve Renewable Energy’s Storage Problem

 

Quote

Renewables harness the power of the sun by extracting energy from the endless stream of solar rays that pound Earth’s surface and the winds that course over it. Yet, the sun is often shrouded by clouds (or completely out of sight, at night) and winds ebb and flow. If the transition to renewables continues — replacing the regular, fixed power output of coal, gas and nuclear plants with more intermittent and unpredictable sources of clean energy — how will energy providers ensure a steady supply of electricity?

The answer may lie in towers of massive concrete blocks stacked hundreds of feet high that act like giant mechanical batteries, storing power in the form of gravitational potential energy. This new energy storage concept is being advanced by a Californian/Swiss startup company called Energy Vault as a solution to renewable energy’s intermittency problem. The towers would store electricity generated by renewables when their output is high in windy, sunny conditions and release energy back to the grid when production falls as winds die down and clouds move in.

[Discover wind turbines on Engineering360.]

Multiple cranes at the top of the towers raise and lower the blocks. Source: Energy Vault

Gravitational Batteries

Topping each tower are cranes that raise and lower thousands of the stackable concrete blocks, each weighing 35 metric tons. Excess grid electricity powers motors in the crane to lift the blocks, picking them up from an outer ring of extras and hoisting them to the top of an inner concentric ring. To deliver electricity back to the grid, the potential energy of the raised blocks is harnessed. The cranes pick them off the summit of the inner ring and drop them back down to the outer ring, converting the kinetic energy of the falling masses into electricity with generators as the blocks fall.

A close-up animation displaying how the tower’s crane attachments will lift the blocks, descending from above and locking into place at four contact points to support them at their base. Source: Energy Vault

A standard tower has a 35 MWh capacity with a 4 MW peak power output that can be modulated based on demand. Energy Vault claims 90% round-trip efficiency, which is enabled by mechanical simplicity grounded in fundamental physics directed by an intelligent control scheme. The specific positioning and motion sequences of the crane are fully autonomous, controlled by custom software algorithms that take into account wind conditions and the inertia of the massive blocks to place them in the most efficient configuration possible.

 

 

 

 

24 minutes ago, paxamericana said:

Global warming is a good thing, why are we trying to change that? We're already overdue for another ice age which tend to last in the millions of years. @robosmith if you're not generating cow farts then you're destroying the planet. 

You don't know what you're talking about which is why you POST NO EVIDENCE, clown.

[User]

7 hours ago, robosmith said:

In reality, you have NO EVIDENCE so your assertion is merely BELIEF.

Also the reality is that your google skills SUCK.

You are such a dishonest little toad. 

You started this thread mindlessly copying and pasting something some random person put up on Facebook, saying Germany HAS built a gravity battery... 

Providing me with a link discussing the potential of this doesn't prove anything other than how pathetically desperate you are. 

 

[Legato]

8 hours ago, robosmith said:

According to the coverage, the the output/input efficiency is high at 90%. Did you not read this:

Where do you IMAGINE the friction would be too high on vertical rails?

The coverage is fictitious, therefore the results are fictitious.