Green Gravity: deploying gravitational energy storage by lifting heavy weights in legacy mineshafts

October 15, 2024

At Pacific Channel, we're committed to investing in innovative cleantech solutions that address real-world challenges and have the potential for global impact. Our recent investment in Green Gravity, as part of their AUD $9 million Series A funding round, aligns perfectly with our mission and investment criteria.

Pacific Channel has invested in Green Gravity alongside Bluescope X (the corporate venture arm of Bluescope) which led the capital round, HMC Capital, Sumitomo Corporation from Japan and M2P Engineering.

Marny Reakes, Venture Partner at Pacific Channel, said

“We're delighted to be investing in Green Gravity. As a leading Asia-Pacific fund management firm, we recognise the benefit of their technology to provide low-cost energy storage and repurpose legacy mine sites, that aligns with our commitment to supporting clean tech advancements.”

 

Solving a Critical Real-World Issue

The transition to renewable energy sources is arguably one of the most pressing challenges of our time. However, because renewables like solar and wind rely on the weather to generate energy, there is a need for efficient, large-scale energy storage solutions. By offering a sustainable and cost-effective method to store and release energy on demand, Green Gravity's innovative approach to gravitational energy storage helps to address this issue.

By repurposing legacy mineshafts for utility-scale, long-duration energy storage, Green Gravity not only provides a solution to the energy storage problem but also revitalises dormant industrial infrastructure and helps revitalise the environment. This dual benefit exemplifies the innovative solutions we seek to invest in.

Green Gravity Technology

Cleantech and the Future of the Environment

Green Gravity's technology sits right within our focus area of investing in the future of our environment. Their gravitational energy storage system offers several key advantages:

  1. Zero emissions during operation
  2. Minimal environmental impact, as it utilisesexisting mineshafts
  3. Long lifespan with low maintenance requirements
  4. \No reliance on rare earth materials or complexchemical processes

These features make Green Gravity's solution not just a solution in the short term, but a sustainable answer for decades to come. This long-term thinking is critical as we work towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

The People Behind the Innovation

In our experience, a great idea needs great people - not just to make it a reality, but to scale it to be capable of having an impact.

Green Gravity's leadership has demonstrated a strong track record of delivery, including the commissioning of their Gravity Lab™ demonstration facility in Port Kembla, NSW. Their ability to develop collaborative relationships with mine site holders like Yancoal, Wollongong Resources, and CEVJ of Romania demonstrates their industry expertise and ability to think commercially.

Global Opportunity for Scale

One of the most exciting aspects of Green Gravity's technology is its potential to scale globally. There are thousands of legacy mineshafts located around the world, providing a significant opportunity for Green Gravity to deploy its technology across different countries. The interest from international investors, including ourselves, underpins the global recognition of this potential.

 

A final word

Our investment in Green Gravity represents Pacific Channel's commitment to investing and supporting in transformative cleantech solutions. By addressing the critical need for energy storage, leveraging existing infrastructure, and offering a globally scalable solution, Green Gravity exemplifies innovative technologies that we believe will shape the future of energy and environmental sustainability.

We're excited to support Green Gravity in their journey to revolutionise energy storage and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world. This investment not only aligns with our strategic focus but also reinforces our position as a leading investor in deep-tech, venture capital and alternative assets across Asia Pacific.