1 2 TRANSFORMING POST-MINING AREAS FOR GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY STORAGE: POTENTIAL, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS *P. Moczko1, L. Antošová10, A. Bajcar2, M. Cała3, T. Dobosz1, M. Galetakis5, Z. Kasztelewicz3, M. Korbut4, M. Kowalczyk1, M. Lazar6, M. Małachowski8, V. Moni10, D. Najgebauer4, A. Ostręga3, S. Papagiannidou9, I. Predoiu7 A. Stopkowicz3, J. Jakóbczyk3 1Department Wroclaw University of Science & Technology, (*Presenting author: przemyslaw.moczko@pwr.edu.pl) 2“Poltegor-Instytut" Instytut Górnictwa Odkrywkowego; 3AGH University of Krakow; 4PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A.; 5Technical University of Crete; 6University of Petrosani; 7Oltenia Energy Complex S.A.; 8Four Point Sp. z o.o. TerraEye; 9IGNITORICHIA ACHLADAS S.A.; 10VUHU a.s. ABSTRACT This article explores the potential of post-mining areas as locations for innovative gravity energy storage (GES)systems: RM-GES (Rail-Mounted) and CB-GES (Conveyor-Belt). The assumptions behind these new technologies are also presented, including their scale, technical solutions, and basic technical and operational parameters. The potential locations for such energy storage facilities are presented, along with the criteria used to evaluate them and determine their suitability for the proposed technology. The social context of reusing these areas, resulting from the energy transition, is also discussed. KEYWORDS Energy transition, gravity energy storage, post-mining areas 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The reasons and goals of energy transition and the resulting need for energy storage The global energy transition is a fundamental challenge and objective for energy systems, aiming to achieve deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a secure and reliable energy supply. Its primary driver is mitigating climate change by gradually replacing fossil-fuel-based energy generation with low-carbon alternatives, particularly renewable energy sources [1, 2]. In the European Union, the transformation of the energy system is supported by legally binding climate neutrality targets for 2050 and intermediate targets for renewable energy deployment [3]. During 2022–2024, renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 25 % of electricity generation in the EU, with a binding target to increase renewable energy to 42.5
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