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We’re digging it
Apex hotels to partner with
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh energy specialist signs power storage
agreement with Czech state enterprise
By STAFF REPORTERGRAVITRICITY THE underground energy
storage specialist is hoping that a former
coal mine in the Czech Republic could
become the first full scale gravity energy
store in Europe.
The Edinburgh company signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the
Czech state enterprise responsible for
minimising the after effects of coal and
uranium ore mining. The body, DIAMO, will
collaborate on getting EU funding to
transform a former deep mine at Darkov into
a massive energy store.
Gravitricity Managing Director Charlie
Blair said: “A low carbon world will require
vast amounts of energy storage, and at
Gravitricity we have developed a long-life
energy storage technology which can delivery
super-fast energy and offers some of the best
characteristics of lithium batteries and
pumped hydro storage.
“We hope our collaboration with DIAMO
will allow us to demonstrate this technologyat scale and offer a potential future for coal
mines that are approaching the end of their
original service life.”
Ludvík Kašpar, CEO of DIAMO said: “Our
main task is to provide the liquidation of
mines, but at the same time we are looking
for new uses for the mine sites according to
the needs of the region. The Gravitricity
project is an opportunity for mines and also
for our experts, who can try working on new
projects and cooperation with a foreign
entity. We have a lot of work ahead of us, we
need to check all aspects and risks related to
with operation of the mine.”
Gravitricity uses heavy weights – totalling
up to 12,000 tonnes – suspended in a deep
shaft by cables attached to winches. When
there is excess electricity, for example on a
windy day, the weight is winched to the top of
the shaft ready to generate power.
This weight can then be released when
required – in less than a second – and the
winches become generators, producing either
a large burst of electricity quickly, or releasing
it more slowly depending on what is needed.By STAFF REPORTEREDINBURGH HOTEL chain Apex is part
of the Edinburgh Zoo family in a new
partnership to fund and promote wildlife
conservation work conducted in Scotland
and around the world.
As a silver corporate partner the company
makes an annual donation, and uses its
venues to set up fundraising stations for
three critically endangered species. At Apex
Grassmarket the spotlight is on the Royal
Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)
WildGenes team who are working with
researchers in Cambodia to save the rare
Siamese crocodile. Apex City of Edinburgh is
backing the Highland Tiger otherwise known
as the Scottish wildcat. And at Apex Waterloo
Place the conservation of chimpanzees in the
Budongo Forest in Uganda will be the main
fundraising focus.
Rebecca Milne, Development Manager,
RZSS said: “It is great to be working with
Apex Hotels and we are thankful for their
fundraising support which will help our
charity to protect endangered species from
the Highlands of Scotland to the rainforests
of Uganda and wetlands of Cambodia.
“This is an exciting opportunity to raise
awareness of our conservation projects in
Scotland and around the world and inspireguests to protect, value and love nature.
We are looking forward to working together
over the coming year.”
Fraser Donnelly of Apex said: “We are
delighted to work with RZSS to support
the charity’s vital conservation projects
which protect some of the world’s most
endangered species.
“As a hotel group we have a close affinity
with animals through our unique collection
of fibreglass mascots across many of our
hotel lobbies, including the popular ‘True the
Tiger’ located at Apex City of Edinburgh.
“As well as channelling funding through
a corporate partnership package with RZSS,
we hope to raise additional money
throughout the year with the support
and generosity of our guests.”Gravitricity Managing
Director Charlie BlairCGI simulation
of the Czech site
Rebecca Milne
and Fraser
Donnelly with a
rare tiger species