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Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is the firm that designed the world’s tallest building, and it is now planning to turn skyscrapers into batteries using gravity.
SOM said in a statement on social media that it is partnering with Energy Vault to design the future of sustainable building architectures. It will reportedly be the architect and structural engineer for Energy Vault’s next-generation gravity energy storage systems (GESS), which includes incorporating the technology into tall buildings in urban areas, maximizing sustainability, accelerating carbon payback, and lowering the cost of energy consumption.
According to Interesting Engineering, the company has designed prototypes that elevate massive blocks using electric motors, a process that creates potential energy that can be converted into power as blocks are lowered. The company created four storage systems based on this concept, with three utilizing heavy blocks or water. Two are integrated into hillsides, and the third is a tall, cylindrical tower designed for urban environments.
“Since our founding, SOM has pushed the boundaries of architecture and engineering, redefining what buildings can do for cities and communities,” said Adam Semel from SOM. He also stated that the partnership with Energy Vault is a commitment to accelerating the world’s process of transitioning away from fossil fuels and exploring how renewable energy architecture can enhance their shared environments. “Given the transformative nature of Energy Vault’s technology, we’re especially excited to launch this unique, global partnership,” he concluded.
Energy Vault’s growing portfolio of GESS deployments is further highlighted by the recent expansions of its global footprint into the African and Asian markets. The company received a commission in 2023 of the world’s first EVx gravity storage system in China (which is considered the largest energy storage market in the world). Earlier this year they also announced a new agreement for their gravity technology portfolio covering the 16-country Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
