1 4 with European policy objectives for a just transition. Research and innovation programmes, such as the EU Research Fund for Coal and Steel, explicitly promote the transformation of former mining sites into hubs for energy services, including energy storage, to support economic diversification and preserve industrial expertise in affected regions. 2. GRENMINE PROJECT CONCEPT AND OBJECTIVES 2.1 General concept and objectives of the GrEnMine project GrEnMine (Gravitational Energy storage in the post-Mine areas) is a research and innovation project funded by the European Union under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS). The project is implemented by an international scientific–industrial consortium led by Wrocław University of Science and Technology, comprising universities (AGH University of Krakow, Technical University of Crete, University of Petrosani), research institutes (POLTEGOR Institute, VUHU), mining companies (Lignitorichia Achladas S.A., Oltenia Energy Complex S.A., PGE GiEK), and innovative companies (Four Point). Its core objective is to develop, assess, and demonstrate gravity energy storage (GES) technology specifically for post-mining environments. The general concept of the GrEnMine project is to convert electrical energy into gravitational potential energy by lifting large masses, then recover the energy during controlled descent. Unlike conventional pumped-hydro storage, the proposed solution does not rely on large water reservoirs and can therefore be deployed in locations with unfavourable hydrological conditions or limited water availability. The concept leverages the characteristics of post-mining areas, including significant elevation differences, extensive surface areas, and existing geotechnical and energy infrastructure. Within the GrEnMine framework, several technological configurations of gravity energy storage are investigated. These include rail-based systems (RM-GES), in which solid masses are transported along inclined rail tracks, and conveyor-based systems (CB-GES), which use on-site bulk materials such as sand or gravel. In both cases, surplus electricity is used to move mass to a higher elevation, while discharge occurs through regenerative operation of the same electromechanical drive system. Preliminary analyses indicate that such installations can operate at medium scale, with power outputs ranging from several megawatts up to more than 100 MW per site, while requiring surface areas typically below 0.3 km². A key element of the GrEnMine project is the systematic assessment of the European potential for gravity energy storage in post-mining areas. The project aims to identify suitable open-pit mines and associated waste dumps across Europe and to develop a comprehensive database describing their topographical, geological, and infrastructural characteristics. This database will serve as the basis for a multi-criteria evaluation tool to enable the technical and economic assessment of potential GES installations at specific sites. Another major objective of the project is to develop and validate the proposed technology through modelling, laboratory testing, and small-scale demonstration. A pilot gravity energy storage installation will be constructed and tested at the Turów lignite mine, operated by PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A. The demonstrator will allow verification of system performance, efficiency, dynamic response, and operational reliability
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