Discovered sand battery capable of storing solar energy for 50 YEARS and revolutionizing the world of renewable energy

In the world of renewable energy, the search for innovative solutions never stops. With growing concern about the sustainability of the planet and the urgent need to diversify energy sources, an innovation has emerged that promises to revolutionize the sector: the sand battery.

Yes, that's exactly what you read. One of the most abundant materials in Terra could be the key to storing solar energy efficiently and cheaply for the next 50 years. Imagine the possibility of ensuring clean, constant energy, even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.

At the heart of this revolution is Finland, where researchers and engineers have come together to create the world's first fully functional sand battery, as reported by Thulio Nascimento, from the channel E4 Renewable Energy.

The technology was developed by the Finnish company Polar Night Energy, which installed a system that stores solar energy in the form of heat, using sand as a storage medium.. Not only does this battery have the potential to offer a cheap energy storage solution, but it can also act as a crucial tool for dealing with the intermittency of renewable energy.

According to E4 Renewable Energy, “electricity production using renewable energy sources is still very volatile and does not meet global demand.” This occurs because solar and wind energy are intermittent, that is, their availability is not constant throughout the day, which requires complements such as battery banks or a second energy source, such as the electrical grid.

The big advance with sand batteries is their ability to store energy for long periods, something that other technologies still struggle to achieve., explains the channel. Lithium-ion batteries, for example, have been a popular bet, but their high cost and negative environmental impact are significant challenges. The sand battery, on the other hand, offers an affordable and sustainable solution, taking advantage of the abundance and physical properties of sand to efficiently store thermal energy.

The origin of technology

The creation of the sand battery was motivated, in part, by the recent energy crises that have afflicted Europe, particularly after the war in ukraine and the interruption of Russian gas supplies.

Finland, depending significantly on this resource, needed to find alternatives to guarantee its energy supply. It was there that the Polar Night Energy came onto the scene, identifying a unique opportunity in the sand for energy storage.

According to E4 Energias Renováveis, the sand battery works as an insulated silo, made of steel casing, filled with sand and equipped with heat transfer tubes..

This system allows energy to be transported and stored efficiently, maintaining heat for long periods thanks to effective insulation.

The stored heat can later be used to heat buildings, district heating networks or in industrial processes, standing out for its versatility.

Sand battery operation

To understand how sand can store energy, it is essential to know its thermal properties. Sand can be heated to temperatures of 1.000 degrees Celsius, and this heat can be maintained for months, providing a practical solution to bypass the intermittency of solar and wind energy.

As explained by E4 Energias Renováveis, “the sand battery uses electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, to convert it into heat, heating the sand to up to 600 degrees Celsius.”

This thermal energy can then be stored and utilized as needed, offering a robust and reliable solution to large-scale energy storage challenges.

The ability to store heat at such high temperatures means that the battery can be used not only for heating, but also to generate additional electricity, if necessary, through turbines in thermal power plants.

benefits and challenges

The advantages of the sand battery are clear: it is cheap, durable and extremely efficient. With a thermal efficiency of 95%, as mentioned by channel E4 Renewable energy, this technology promises to preserve the captured energy with minimal losses during the storage cycle.

Additionally, battery life is estimated at 50 years, an impressive feat that maximizes return on investment and increases the stability of renewable energy systems.

However, implementing this technology is not without challenges. Despite the efficiency, converting stored heat into electricity may require additional investments in turbine and conversion technology, which could complicate the economic scenario., explains the channel.

Still, the sand battery represents a promising solution to energy storage problems, especially in regions where existing infrastructure is limited or the cost of electricity is high.

Current and future applications

The first commercial sand battery, developed by Polar Night Energy, has a heating power of 100 kW and a capacity of 8 MWh, being used in Western Finland. According to the E4 Renewable Energy, the company is also working on a pilot district heating project with a capacity of 3 MWh, which aims to provide heat to several buildings in Yliharma.

Although the current project has a capacity of 8 MWh, it is possible to build even larger sand batteries, with the capacity to store heat at 1.000 degrees Celsius and reach up to 20 GWh. The company is already exploring ways to expand the technology's application, including converting thermal energy into electricity, which could further expand the possibilities for use.

Based on the available data, the sand battery could truly establish itself as a standard technology for the future of renewable energy, offering an efficient, sustainable and long-term solution to storage challenges.

In any case, the innovation represented by the sand battery could be the breakthrough that the solar energy sector has been waiting for. Its ability to store energy for long periods, combined with durability and efficiency, makes it a highly attractive solution for renewable energy systems around the world.

And you, what do you think of this innovative technology? Could the sand battery be successfully adopted in Brazil? Leave your opinion in the comments!