Finland warms up the world’s largest sand battery, and the economics look appealing

Finland has activated the world's largest sand-based battery in Pornainen. This thermal energy storage system uses 2,000 metric tons of crushed soapstone to store heat from electricity, mainly from renewable sources. The battery can store 1,000 megawatt-hours of heat for weeks, reducing the town's reliance on oil and wood chips for heating. With low heat loss and temperatures up to 400°C, this system promises to reduce carbon emissions and costs. The project highlights the potential of thermal batteries for renewable energy storage.