Finnish researchers have installed the world's first fully working "sand battery" which can store green power for months at a time.

[RobertM]

In a corner of a small power plant in western Finland stands a new piece of technology that has the potential to ease some worries for Finland after being cut off from Russian energy.

The key element in this device? Around 100 tonnes of builder's sand, piled high inside a dull grey silo.

These rough and ready grains may well represent a simple, cost-effective way of storing power for when it's needed most.

The device has been installed in the Vatajankoski power plant which runs the district heating system for the area.

Low-cost electricity warms the sand up to 500C by resistive heating (the same process that makes electric fires work).

This generates hot air which is circulated in the sand by means of a heat exchanger.

Sand is a very effective medium for storing heat and loses little over time. The developers say that their device could keep sand at 500C for several months.

So when energy prices are higher, the battery discharges the hot air which warms water for the district heating system which is then pumped around homes, offices and even the local swimming pool.

https://bbc.in/3bUxEpB

Edited July 8, 2022 by RobertM

[Sid Genetry Solar]

Whoop-de-do....

 

Just thought I'd say that most of us don't have any interest in conceptual things that "might" or "could" be of value--especially of scales outside of the normal DIYer scope.  I like to hear about things that I can actually buy/use or learn.

[Sean Genetry Solar]

Every time I mention that I am looking at new LifePo4 cells for my system I get 10 people telling me about some new future tech coming soon and I should hold off. Just like solar panels that work in the dark. Sure they may exist in some form today but they wont be ready for cheap for many years to come.