1306 strength and buckling simulations. These analyses ensure safe operation under static and dynamic loads expected during charging and discharging cycles. Figure 5 – RM-GES technology demonstrator concept Particular emphasis has been placed on operational safety, including emergency braking, controlled acceleration and deceleration, and fail-safe modes. The RM-GES demonstrator is located at the Turów open-pit lignite mine, where existing postmining infrastructure and topography provide favourable conditions for experimental validation. Experimental testing of the demonstrator will focus on efficiency assessment, dynamic response, operational repeatability, and interaction with the supporting ground and infrastructure. The results obtained from the demonstrator will provide essential input for scaling up the RM-GES technology and assessing its applicability as a durable, environmentally friendly energy storage solution for post-mining regions. The demonstrator's general view is shown in Figure 5. 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT 5.1 The use of evaluation and selection methodology for choosing a demonstrator site Preliminary assessment of the benefits and limitations of the proposed GES technologies in postmining areas (target scale, comparison of costs, social and environmental impact, etc) is presented below: Target scale of RM-GES The RM-GES (Rail-Mounted Gravity Energy Storage) and CB-GES (Conveyor-Based Gravity Energy Storage) concepts developed within the GrEnMine project are designed primarily for medium-scale deployment in post-mining areas. Target power ratings range from several megawatts up to approximately 100 MW per site, depending on available elevation difference, ramp geometry, and site-specific geotechnical constraints. Energy capacity is modular and can be adjusted by increasing transported mass, track length, or operational cycles, allowing configurations from daily balancing units (tens to hundreds of MWh) to larger multi-cycle installations. This scalability makes both concepts suitable for grid support, renewable integration, and regional flexibility services. The RM-GES and CB-GES concepts represent economically promising, durable storage solutions tailored to the technical and spatial characteristics of post-mining regions. Preliminary comparison of costs with other storage technologies Gravity energy storage (GES) is a relatively new alternative in this field, but cost comparisons can be made with other mature storage technologies. To compare energy storage technologies from this perspective, the levelized cost of storage (LCOS) is used, which accounts for capital costs (CAPEX), operating costs (OPEX), loading costs, end-of-life costs, and total discharged capacity over the technology's lifetime [28].
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