The Vision Behind the Next Architectural Marvel: A Battery
The global energy crisis has had remarkable effects amid intensifying climate change. Clean energy demand is greater than ever, with more frequent storms on the horizon and a dire call to eliminate fossil fuels. However, harnessing the power of renewables for a sustainable future is not enough—the world must also develop advanced battery storage solutions.
Picture a prime representation of modern infrastructure — a towering skyscraper capable of energy storage. As a renowned developer expresses interest in such a design, people must consider whether it could be the missing piece to stabilizing the electricity grid and creating more resilient cities.
What Is a Skyscraper Battery?
Engineering and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)—developers of One World Trade Center and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa—is partnering with energy storage company Energy Vault to build a colossal skyscraper battery.
The system will store excess renewable energy in the structure’s 1,000-foot-tall cranes, gearing up for when energy supplies are low and demand is at its peak. Using a generator, the cranes will lower and raise weighted blocks of recycled waste to distribute power.
The undertaking sounds straightforward enough. Energy Vault has even completed similar projects on a smaller scale. In 2020, it finished a pilot plan with 75% efficiency in Switzerland. Three years later, in December 2023, the company connected a 100-megawatt-hour building to the local electricity grid in China. The question is, can Energy Vault and SOM implement the same clean energy storage capacity on a much larger scale?
This isn’t the first time someone has explored skyscraper battery potential. Researchers in Vienna, Austria, released a 2022 study indicating 92% efficiency using a permanent-magnet synchronous gear motor for smart elevators.
An Overview of the Current Energy Crisis
Rising utility costs, supply chain disruptions, and a failing electricity grid are just a few of the tell-tale signs of the ongoing energy crisis. Meanwhile, various industries are rapidly contributing to global warming — the construction industry alone produces 39% of carbon emissions, while the industrial, transportation, and agricultural sectors also generate their fair share.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, two-thirds of North America was at elevated risk of insufficient energy operations in summer 2023. Scientists called it the hottest year on record since 1880, with people demanding peak energy consumption to stay cool.
Despite dwindling fossil fuel reserves and rising renewable production, the trajectory toward a sustainable future has been slow. The latest technologies are promising but erratic, depending on the weather. For example, solar panels can generate ample energy during the day but not overnight, placing evening-hour strain on the grid.
Battery storage has emerged as a viable solution. It stores the surplus energy created during peak hours for later use. The consistent electricity supply diminishes emissions, decreases grid reliance, and fights climate change. It can ensure an electrified future without outages, particularly during significant storms.
Benefits of the Next Architectural Marvel
The skyscraper battery aligns with the current transition toward sustainable construction. The U.S. green building market has reached $81 billion, continuing a rapid upward trend as more people prioritize energy efficiency.
The conceivable environmental, economic, and social benefits of skyscraper batteries are hard to overlook. These solutions will reduce the global carbon footprint and air quality by storing energy and offsetting fossil fuels. According to a 2023 study, air pollution causes 8.34 million deaths annually.
Of course, advancements in renewables also lower energy costs, increase property values, and drive green employment. Projections already show solar and wind turbine technician jobs will increase by 52% and 68%, respectively, by 2030.
Socially, adequate clean energy storage will improve the quality of life for the global population by enhancing communitywide connectivity and creating power resilience during natural disasters.
Challenges and Considerations
A project like skyscraper batteries is an architectural marvel but hasn’t been achieved to scale before. The outlay of implementing such structures will be astronomical, as engineers must consider cost-effective materials, manufacturing, transportation, installation, and integration with the grid.
Forecasters predict the market share for energy storage systems will reach $18 billion by 2030 in the U.S. — three times higher than in 2023. Hopefully, this will drive some of the costs down.
Safety components must also be considered. For example, how can engineers ensure fire and structural safety, mainly if system malfunctions exist? Sourcing sustainable, long-lasting, and resistant materials to withstand skyscraper conditions is also critical to its successful implementation. Additionally, zoning regulations and policies are necessary to incentivize the widespread adoption of skyscraper batteries for renewable energy storage.
Energy engineers, researchers, and policymakers must unite to devise a comprehensive plan for battery deployment on existing infrastructure. However, the potential for grid-stabilizing efficiency could make it worthwhile.
A Stepping Stone Toward a Sustainable Energy Future
Skyscraper batteries are a beacon of hope at a time when renewable power storage is at the forefront of energy discourse. By integrating the built environment with state-of-the-art storage technologies, the world can create more sustainable energy for future generations.