The world's largest sand battery just went live in Finland
11 days ago
- #renewable-energy
- #sustainability
- #energy-storage
- Finland has inaugurated the world's largest industrial-scale sand battery in Pornainen, reducing local heating network carbon emissions by up to 70%.
- Developed by Polar Night Energy, the battery is 13m tall, 15m wide, stores up to 100 MWh, and has 90% round-trip efficiency.
- The sand battery stores excess renewable energy as heat, which can be used for district heating or industrial processes.
- It charges when electricity is cheap and can hold heat for months, helping balance energy supply and demand.
- The system heats sand to 600°C using excess renewable electricity and releases heat via air pipes for heating purposes.
- Currently operational since June, it has exceeded efficiency targets and heats many buildings in Pornainen.
- Future plans include converting stored heat back into electricity using steam turbines.
- The battery supports Finland's goal of carbon neutrality and could inspire similar projects in other regions.