Finland has inaugurated the world’s largest sand battery this week in the southern town of Pornainen, first of its kind. The project is expected to take over heating duties from an old woodchip power plant for the municipality. Moreover, it is set to reduce carbon emissions from the local heating network by as much as 70%, the largest of its kind. The battery was developed by Finnish Firm Polar Night Energy, which proved to be stellar in delivering such projects.
Few years ago, the company also built the world’s first commercial sand battery. The current battery is about 42 feet tall and 50 feet wide. It serves as a storage medium for up to 100 MWh with a round trip efficiency of 90%. This makes it about 10 times larger than the first-ever sand battery. Furthermore, it is capable of storing enough heat for the whole town to use for a week. Renewable energy options are gaining pace around the world with projects such as the world’s largest hydropower station and the world’s largest offshore solar farm taking shape.
Significance of the World’s Largest Sand Battery in Finland
The implementation of the world’s largest battery in Finland is a critical tool for such places which intermittently generate vast quantities of wind and solar but also face variations in energy demand and supply. The project will facilitate this as charges up battery when electricity is cheaply available and can hold a charge for months. Through this, it helps balance the energy grid during periods of high demand.
This battery has actually been in operation since June, and the company says it has already exceeded its efficiency targets in the early days of optimizing its functions. Many of Pornainen’s buildings, including its town hall, are currently heated by the new TES. In the coming years, it will play a major role in helping the town achieve carbon neutrality. Moreover, it might inspire more municipalities in regions with similar climate and energy sources to adopt these giant batteries.
