Key facts
- Finland has deployed the world's largest sand battery.
- The sand battery is located in the town of Pornainen.
- Polar Night Energy developed the sand battery.
- The battery uses low-grade sand to store heat.
- It significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 70%.
- The battery can meet nearly a month of the town's heating demands in summer.
- It can meet up to a week of the town's heating demands in winter.
- The technology offers an alternative to lithium-ion technology.
- It does not require rare earth minerals.
Finland has deployed the world's largest sand battery in the town of Pornainen, marking a significant advancement in sustainable energy storage. Developed by Polar Night Energy, this innovative technology utilizes low-grade sand to store heat, offering a compelling alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries and reducing reliance on rare earth minerals. The sand battery has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 70%.
This large-scale sand battery is capable of meeting nearly a month's worth of Pornainen's heating demands during the summer months and can sustain up to a week of heating needs in the winter. This capability highlights the system's potential to provide consistent and reliable heat, even during colder periods. The technology's success in Pornainen suggests a viable pathway for decarbonizing heat infrastructure in communities.