What Is a “Sand Battery”?
A “sand battery” is a type of high-temperature thermal energy storage system that uses sand or similar materials to store energy as heat. The primary purpose of this technology is to serve as a high-capacity and high-power reservoir for excess wind and solar energy. The heat energy stored in the sand can be used to provide hot steam, process heat to industries, or even heat homes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The term “sand battery” gained widespread attention after a BBC News story was published on July 5th, 2022.
How Does it Work
Sand is a very effective medium for storing heat and loses little over time.
A sand battery is a simple structure that helps store extra heat from solar and wind energy. It is made up of a tall, gray tower filled with sand, and the sand gets hot when the tower is charged up. This is done by passing an electric current through the sand, which creates heat. The hot air is then moved around in the…
