Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are key to combating climate change. However, their intermittent nature—affected by time of day or weather conditions—can impact the stability of electricity supply. Therefore, efficient energy storage strategies are essential to balance production and demand.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), integrating large-scale storage into renewable energy systems could contribute to reducing global CO₂ emissions by up to 20% by 2050. With the energy storage market projected to grow by 40% annually through 2030—driven by demand for clean energy generation and grid optimization—developing these storage systems is crucial to ensuring maximum benefit.

In this context, Aiguasol is participating in the European GESYS project, led by CDTI Innovacion and collaborating with the Université Internationale de Rabat, to develop innovative renewable energy storage solutions.

What is the GESYS Project?

GESYS aims to develop innovative solutions for renewable energy storage, offering an alternative to conventional battery systems through the GES (Gravitational Energy Storage) system. Created by scientist Asmae Berrada, Associate Professor at the International University of Rabat, this system uses water pumping with a large piston, based on a principle similar to that of hydroelectric power plants but adapted to various environments.

This technology could be particularly relevant in Morocco, a country facing drought and geographic challenges for deploying traditional storage systems. To overcome this limitation, the International University of Rabat has designed a closed-loop water circuit that requires significantly less water, thanks to the potential energy of a concrete piston. The goal is to implement this technology at scale by repurposing existing infrastructure—such as abandoned mines—and integrating it with renewable energy sources.

Aiguasol’s assessment of GESYS’s feasibility and potential

As part of the team led by CDTI Innovación, Aiguasol conducted a technical and economic feasibility study of the GES system under various electricity market scenarios, focusing on its integration with renewable energy sources and its role in balancing markets. Using simulations on a SEMS platform, we analyzed factors such as storage size, electricity prices, investment and operating costs, and the system’s operational flexibility.

The results suggest that GESYS has strong potential to become a key technology in stabilizing the power grid and accelerating the energy transition. This solution enables more efficient integration of renewable sources while reducing dependence on conventional technologies. Although its energy efficiency is slightly lower than some current storage technologies, such as chemical batteries, GESYS stands out for its sustainability and durability. These two features are especially valued in the current context and could help secure subsidies to support initial investments and facilitate large-scale deployment.

From an economic standpoint, the system may require a higher upfront investment, but this could be offset by its extended lifespan and significantly lower operational costs, positioning it as an attractive option in the medium and long term. Moreover, its compatibility with existing flexibility markets—such as secondary and tertiary regulation—along with opportunities in emerging areas like local flexibility or capacity markets, could open new avenues for profitability. Its economic viability would be particularly enhanced in large-scale applications, where the system can deliver its full competitive potential.

Redefining energy storage

GESYS presents itself as a promising technology to support the energy transition, especially in environments where traditional pumped hydro storage is not feasible. Its implementation could benefit from more favorable regulations and financial incentives that enable large-scale adoption. In this way, its use in emerging markets and integration with renewable energy sources could represent a strategic solution for ensuring the long-term sustainability and stability of the power system.

At Aiguasol, we believe that innovation and scientific rigor are fundamental to transforming the current energy model. That’s why we continue to develop and promote projects that offer efficient, forward-thinking solutions. With a global outlook and a strong commitment to sustainability, we work to make a cleaner, more efficient, and more accessible energy system a reality.

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