Finland’s Sand Battery Cuts CO2 Emissions by 70%

Finland launched the world’s largest sand battery in June 2025, storing 100 MWh of renewable energy with 70% lower CO2 emissions. Developed by Polar Night Energy, this technology could support India’s 30 GWh storage target by 2030, enhancing grid stability.

Sand batteries store heat in insulated silica sand, releasing it for district heating or electricity. Polar Night Energy’s 2025 project in Pornainen, Finland, stores 100 MWh at 1,000°C, powering 10,000 homes for a week. The system, costing $10 million, achieves 95% efficiency and cuts emissions by 70% compared to fossil fuel heating, per a 2025 Energy Storage Journal study.

India’s 159.5 GW renewable capacity, with 108 GW solar, faces 10% curtailment, requiring 30 GWh storage by 2030. Sand batteries, with a 50-year lifespan versus 10 years for lithium-ion, cost $100/kWh, 80% cheaper than batteries. Pilot projects in Tamil Nadu, storing 1 MWh, show 90% efficiency, suitable for industrial heating. The 2025 Budget’s $5,400 crore for storage supports such innovations, but only 120 MWh of BESS is installed.

Challenges include high land needs (1 acre per MWh) and 20% energy loss in electricity conversion. Finland’s 10 GW renewable capacity integrates sand batteries with district heating, saving $50 million annually. India’s 70% urban heat demand could adopt similar systems, but 80% reliance on imported silica raises costs by 15%. Gujarat’s 100 MWh BESS project, with AI-based management, offers lessons for hybrid storage.

Environmental benefits include a 30% reduction in coal use, preserving 5% of ecosystems. Scaling requires $200 million and 10,000 skilled workers by 2030, per IRENA. Posts on X highlight sand batteries’ global potential, reflecting interest in sustainable storage.

Conclusion

Finland’s sand battery offers a low-cost, sustainable storage solution for India’s renewable grid. Overcoming land and import challenges is key to meeting 2030 storage goals.

Source: Sustainability Times,