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Finland Develops World’s First Fully Working ‘Sand Battery’

News: The first fully functional “sand battery” capable of storing green power for several months has been installed in Finland. The batteries can address the issue of year-round supply in addition to storing energy.

• A BBC story claims that the year-round availability is a significant issue. It is anticipated that this technology will provide a low-cost, low-impact solution to the storage issue.
• Sand batteries use low-grade sand, which is heated inside the battery using electricity produced from renewable energy sources (solar and wind). The cost of renewable energy is thought to be lower than that of other forms.
• At a temperature of roughly 500 degrees Celsius, the sand can store the energy as heat. In the winter, this energy might be used in winters.
• The invention or concept is still in its infancy, and it is unknown whether the gadget could store both heat and power.
• Finland is one of many nations that have harsh and protracted winters. Therefore, it was crucial for the nation to develop technology that would enable citizens to purchase less expensive electricity during the difficult times.
• Due to Finland’s reliance on Russian gas, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also had an influence on the energy market. As a result, the value of green energy rises even further. The country has ceased supplying Finland with gas and power as a result of Finland’s decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Polar night energy

• The first commercial sand battery is called Polar Night Energy, and it is located on the Vatajankoski “new energy” company’s property.
• A somewhat less expensive substitute for the lithium, cobalt, and nickel usually used in other batteries, the Kankaanpaa factory in western Finland is filled with roughly 100 tonnes of sand used in construction.