Innovative Sand Battery: A Step Towards Sustainable Energy
Published on November 16, 2024 by EcoInventos
Revolutionizing Energy Storage
The construction of an innovative industrial sand battery for Loviisan Lämpö is progressing as planned. This battery, designed for the district heating network in Pornainen, Finland, utilizes crushed soapstone, a byproduct of chimney production, to replace virgin materials and promote resource reuse.
Key Features of the Sand Battery
This sand battery is a thermal storage system developed by the Finnish startup Polar Night Energy. It uses materials similar to sand to store thermal energy flexibly and efficiently. The battery will be filled with 2,000 tons of crushed soapstone, equivalent to the weight of approximately 1,000 chimneys manufactured by Tulikivi. The material loading was successfully completed at the end of October 2023.
Supporting Circular Economy Principles
Tommi Eronen, CEO of Polar Night Energy, emphasized the importance of using this byproduct instead of virgin materials, stating, “We are very pleased to employ a recycled material with such high potential. Soapstone has exceptional performance for these types of applications.”
Benefits of Soapstone
Soapstone, a traditional rock in Finland, is known for its high thermal conductivity and excellent heat storage capacity, surpassing many other rocks. This makes it an ideal material for this project.
Collaboration for Sustainability
Tulikivi, a leader in high-efficiency chimney manufacturing, has also begun incorporating recycled ceramics into its products. Heikki Vauhkonen, CEO of Tulikivi, remarked, “The cooperation with Polar Night Energy is an example of the innovative thinking needed to advance towards a more sustainable model.”
Impact on Fossil Fuel Dependency
One of the most notable aspects of this battery is that it eliminates the need for fuel transportation, as it operates solely on clean, low-cost electricity. This system will significantly reduce the combustion-based energy used in Loviisan Lämpö’s district heating network.
Impressive Specifications
The sand battery will have impressive dimensions: 13 meters tall and 15 meters wide, with an output power of 1 MW and a storage capacity of 100 MWh. This system will be the main thermal energy provider for the district heating network in Pornainen, marking a milestone in energy innovation.
Future Developments
The next phases include various technical installations, with testing set to begin in winter 2024. The battery is expected to be fully operational by 2025, supported by funding from Business Finland, which promotes new energy technologies.
Conclusion
The development of this sand battery represents a significant advance in the search for sustainable energy solutions. The use of recycled materials, the elimination of fossil fuels, and collaboration between innovative companies underscore the importance of the circular economy and energy transition. This project will not only benefit Finland but also serve as a model for future global initiatives.
For more information, visit Polar Night Energy.
This post have been created by Autopublised. Original article: https://ecoinventos.com/startup-finlandesa-construye-una-bateria-de-arena-industrial-de-100-mw-en-finlandia/