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"Finland speeds up the shift towards renewable energy with sand batteries"

You are integral to the groundbreaking energy storage solutions gaining traction in Italy's market.

Finland bolsters its energy revolution with advancements in sand batteries technology.
Finland bolsters its energy revolution with advancements in sand batteries technology.

"Finland speeds up the shift towards renewable energy with sand batteries"

In the heart of Finland, a groundbreaking innovation is transforming the renewable energy landscape. A startup named Polar Night Energy, based in the town of Kankaanpää, has commercially launched the world's first sand battery. This innovative energy storage system is not only a significant step forward for Finland but also for the global shift towards renewable energy.

The sand battery, a steel tank measuring 4 meters by 7 meters and weighing 100 tons, operates as a battery, storing energy during periods of excess production and releasing it during periods of high demand. It is located 270 kilometers northwest of Helsinki and is filled with sand, serving as the energy storage medium.

Tommi Eronen, 33, the CEO and co-founder of Polar Night Energy, leads this Finnish startup. The sand battery was developed in collaboration with the utility Vatajankoski and was launched commercially last year.

Key features of the sand battery include its long-duration storage capacity, low cost and simplicity, high volumetric energy density, carbon-neutral and sustainable nature, and longevity with low maintenance. It can retain heat for extended periods, enabling seasonal storage from summer to winter. The battery uses abundant, inexpensive sand and straightforward resistive heating technology, making it an efficient space utiliser for storing large energy amounts.

The success of Polar Night Energy’s sand battery is contributing to the acceptance of innovative energy storage systems. This innovation provides a reliable, carbon-neutral heat source that helps decarbonize heating and industry sectors in cold climates, easing grid demands by absorbing surplus renewable energy, and offering a scalable solution without using scarce or hazardous materials.

The development of these energy storage systems is part of a global trend towards renewable energy and the reduction of fossil fuel dependence. This shift is evident not only in Finland but also in other countries like Italy during their transition to renewable energy sources.

Polar Night Energy is not exclusively focusing on sand batteries. The startup is also working on other innovative energy storage systems, and their innovations are gaining attention beyond Finland. The sand battery, designed and realised by Polar Night Energy, is currently providing district heating to the town of Kankaanpää, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels in this transition.

References:

[1] Polar Night Energy. (n.d.). Sand Battery. Retrieved from https://polarnightenergy.fi/sand-battery/

[2] Polar Night Energy. (n.d.). Sand Battery - Q&A. Retrieved from https://polarnightenergy.fi/sand-battery-qa/

  1. The innovative sand battery, developed by Polar Night Energy, operates as an energy storage system, storing excess renewable energy during periods of production and releasing it during periods of high demand, thereby contributing to the global shift towards renewable energy.
  2. Tommi Eronen, the 33-year-old CEO and co-founder of Polar Night Energy, is leading the Finnish startup that has commercially launched the world's first sand battery.
  3. The sand battery, located in Kankaanpää, Finland, is a significant contribution to environmental science, as it offers a carbon-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for energy storage.
  4. The success of the sand battery innovation, combined with the development of other innovative energy storage systems by Polar Night Energy, is attracting industry attention, setting a positive trend in the renewable energy industry and easing the environmental impact in various sectors, such as climate-change mitigation and the finance sector.

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