Cities of the Future: Skyscrapers as Energy Storage Units

In a groundbreaking initiative, the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has partnered with Energy Vault to transform urban skylines into massive energy storage units. This innovative concept envisions skyscrapers functioning as giant battery blocks, utilizing gravitational energy to store and release electricity. Bill Baker, a key engineer behind the Burj Khalifa, emphasized the potential of this technology to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban living. The proposed design involves a superstructure tower that could soar between 985 to 3,300 feet, featuring hollow shafts for moving heavy blocks. These blocks would be hoisted during periods of low electricity demand, storing potential energy, and then lowered to generate power when demand peaks. This dual-purpose structure would not only serve as an energy storage solution but also accommodate residential and commercial spaces, potentially powering multiple buildings with a multi-gigawatt-hour capacity. Energy Vault has already demonstrated the feasibility of this concept with a 492-foot energy storage facility built in China. As urbanization continues to drive the need for taller buildings, the collaboration between SOM and Energy Vault aims to pioneer the development of these energy-efficient skyscrapers. Robert Piconi, CEO of Energy Vault, expressed confidence that SOM’s expertise in constructing tall buildings will facilitate the realization of this ambitious project. As cities increasingly seek greener solutions, these energy skyscrapers could represent a pivotal shift in urban infrastructure, positioning SOM and Energy Vault at the forefront of sustainable city development.