In northern Europe, in Finland, concerns about its dependence on Russia and the recent suspension of gas and electricity supplies by Moscow have created an alarming situation, especially considering the cold temperatures in winter. That is why a group of Finnish scientists set to work to create an alternative sand battery with thermal energy to solve their energy problems.
A long list of problems to face: this is the cause of all of them
Finland’s dependence on Russian gas has grown significantly in recent times, however, many are beginning to doubt that the supply will be stable for much longer, especially considering the intense war that broke out in Ukraine over its energy.
On the other hand, the aforementioned nation has recently experienced the cut-off of gas and electricity supplies by Moscow. This itself has been in abrupt response to Finland’s request to join NATO.
These complex situations have generated great concern among politicians and Finnish citizens alike, who fear the possibility of running out of basic supplies such as electricity and water. Especially if this happens during the country’s long and harsh winters.
Out of this dedicated problem, a small idea has emerged in western Finland that could have big results for the population at the energy level. A small power plant has been working on a never-before-seen solution that could alleviate these concerns among the people of Finland.
Far from being solar and wind energy: this is the new element they will be using
To solve these major problems facing the nation it could be very easy to install large photovoltaic plants and giant wind farms to generate power, however, there are major disadvantages associated with these well-known renewable energy sources.
The instability of these renewables can be a serious problem when it comes to implementation in a situation as delicate as the one faced by Finland. Let us remember that the aforementioned renewable energy sources depend entirely on a daily supply of sunlight and wind to function properly and provide basic services, something that cannot be guaranteed.
Well, in this technology there is a surprising element: approximately 100 tons of common sand, similar to that often used in the construction area, stored in a silo. These rough grains became a simple and inexpensive way to store energy.
How will they make the sand battery?
In this project, instead of storing the energy obtained in normal batteries, they store it by heating sand to a very high temperature and using cheap electricity, i.e. electricity obtained from sources such as photovoltaic and wind fields. In this way they will eliminate once and for all the polluting and expensive lithium batteries by using a sand battery, providing a stable energy supply for several months.
The sand acts as a kind of heat reserve that can be maintained for a long time. When that energy is needed, the battery releases hot air to heat water, which is then used to heat homes, offices and even a local swimming pool. It’s like storing heat in the sand and then using it when needed.
In short, the idea of using a construction sand battery to store energy in Finland is like finding an ingenious and reliable solution to ensure that people’s homes stay warm even in the coldest winters. It is a reminder of how ingenious inventions can be a great answer to challenges that may arise.
