A Finnish Brewery Stores Renewable Heat in Sand
In Finland, a brewery has adopted a pioneering technology that uses common sand as a medium to accumulate thermal energy. The system, developed by the company TheStorage, captures surplus renewable electricity to heat the sand to extreme temperatures, offering a clean alternative to traditional fuels. 🏭
How does this storage system work?
The process is ingenious: when there is an excess generation from sources like solar or wind, that energy is used to heat large volumes of sand inside insulated containers up to 800 degrees Celsius. This heat is stored efficiently and recovered later through a heat exchanger, which can produce industrial steam or heat thermal oil according to demand. The key lies in separating the time of energy generation from the time of use, providing great flexibility to the grid.
Main advantages of the system:- Reduces energy costs by up to 70% compared to using gas or coal.
- Decreases carbon emissions by more than 90%, helping to decarbonize.
- It is scalable, with capacities ranging from 20 to 500 MWh of stored thermal energy.
This technology allows industries with high heat demand to optimize the use of intermittent renewable energies and advance towards sustainable production.
An adaptable design for various industries
The solution is not only for brewing beer. Its modular design allows adapting the output power, which can vary between 1 and 20 megawatts, to meet the needs of different manufacturing sectors. This makes it a viable option for plants that still rely on fossil fuels in their heat-intensive processes.
Key technical features:- Storage medium: Dry sand, an abundant and low-cost material.
- Operating temperature: Up to 800 °C, ideal for generating high-quality steam.
- Insulation: Special containers that minimize heat losses.
The future of sustainable industrial heat
This sand thermal storage method positions itself as a crucial piece for decarbonizing heavy industry. By using peaks in renewable energy production that would otherwise be wasted, not only are these resources optimized, but a constant and clean heat supply is guaranteed. So, the next time you enjoy a Finnish beer, remember that its manufacturing process might be powered by the heat of the 'sun' stored in a sand container. 🌞🍺