The designer of the world’s tallest building is now planning to make skyscrapers that would be capable of storing energy.
Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), the firm that designed Burj Khalifa, now aims to turn skyscrapers into batteries using gravity.
“What if a building could become a battery? We’ve partnered with Energy Vault to optimize its gravity energy storage system—where heavy blocks stored high, when released, create energy that can be converted into electricity,” said SOM on X.
The partnership aims to design the future of sustainable building architectures that enable accelerated carbon paybacks for the first time.
Under this strategic partnership, SOM will be the exclusive architect and structural engineer for Energy Vault’s next-generation gravity energy storage systems (GESS). This includes incorporating the technology into tall buildings in urban areas and deployable structures in natural settings, maximizing sustainability, accelerating carbon payback, and lowering the levelized cost of energy consumption.
“We are extremely pleased to begin this exclusive global partnership with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, a firm with an unparalleled track record in developing some of the world’s most remarkable structures,” said Robert Piconi, chairman and chief executive officer, Energy Vault.
“Our strategic partnership with SOM opens a new multi-billion dollar market segment for Energy Vault focused on the future of sustainability in new building design and energy efficiency.”
Source : interesting engineering
