Sand batteries could store renewable energy

Offshore Wind Farm In Zhoushan

Aerial view of an offshore wind farm 2 in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province of China. Source: Getty

Researchers in Finland have installed the world's first fully working "sand battery" which can store power from renewable sources for months at a time.


The device, which contains 100 tons of low-quality sand, is filled with heat made from cheap electricity from the sun or wind.

The developer said it could solve the supply problem all year round,

In the city of Tampere in western Finland, a pump pushes hot air into a large container filled with building sand.

This coarse, ready-to-use grain is highly effective at retaining heat, keeping it at extremely high temperatures for months.

This sand-based technology aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing renewable energy – what do you do when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining?


 


Share
Follow SBS Indonesian

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Indonesian-speaking Australians.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS Indonesian News

SBS Indonesian News

Watch it onDemand