Finland Unveils World's Largest Sand Battery, a Cheap and Green Energy Solution

The small Finnish town of Pornainen has switched on the world's largest sand battery, a thermal energy storage system using waste soapstone to store heat generated from renewable energy sources. This 2,000-metric-ton battery, housed in a 49-foot-wide silo, stores 1,000 megawatt-hours of heat for weeks, significantly reducing the town's reliance on oil for district heating and lowering carbon emissions. The low cost of materials and simple construction make this a compelling alternative to expensive lithium-ion batteries, showcasing a promising path for sustainable energy.