Polar Night Energy, in collaboration with Loviisan Lämpö, has announced the launch of an innovative thermal energy storage system in Pornainen, setting an industry milestone with its 1 MW sand battery. This system, which will be integrated into Loviisan Lämpö’s district heating network, will use crushed soapstone, a by-product of Tulikivi’s stove manufacturing, as a means of storing thermal energy.
This pioneering project, to be erected in Pornainen, is part of an agreement between Polar Night Energy and Loviisan Lämpö, a Finnish district heating company. The sand battery, with a heating capacity of 1 MW, will be able to store up to 100 MWh of thermal energy. This represents a significant advance, being ten times larger than its predecessor at Kankaanpää, operational since 2022.
The purpose of implementing the Polar Night Energy sand battery
The implementation of this sand battery is intended to. decrease CO₂ emissions associated with the production of district heating in Pornainen by introducing a highly flexible heat production technology. emissions associated with district heating production in Pornainen by introducing a highly flexible heat production technology.
Mikko Paajanen, CEO of Loviisan Lämpö, highlighted the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. According to Paajanen, the sand battery will enable a significant reduction in the use of combustion-generated energy and completely eliminate dependence on oil.
It is estimated that this investment will reduce total emissions by approximately 160 tons of CO₂ equivalent annually, representing a nearly 70% decrease in emissions from Pornainen’s district heating network. In addition, a 60% reduction in wood chip burning is anticipated.
Likewise, the municipality of Pornainen has enthusiastically welcomed this new heating technology, which is in line with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality. District heating is essential for several municipal buildings, including the school, town hall and library.
For his part, Antti Kuusela, mayor of Pornainen, expressed his support for all innovative projects that reduce emissions and expand the district heating network.
More details about the sand battery
The sand battery is characterized by its flexibility both in the use of electricity and in the production of district heating. It is charged by algorithms developed by the company itself, optimizing electricity costs and satisfying heat demand.
Loviisan Lämpö, under the ownership of CapMan Infra, reflects CapMan’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. Sauli Antila, investment director of CapMan Infra, stressed that the investment in the sand battery is a concrete step towards reducing emissions and finding solutions to achieve net zero emissions.
Polar Night Energy will deliver the sand battery as a turnkey project, with construction and testing estimated to take 13 months. This project has been supported by Business Finland.
The collaboration between the two companies demonstrates not only a technological breakthrough in thermal energy storage but also a commitment to the circular economy. Using crushed soapstone as a storage medium underscores the importance of using sustainable resources and industrial by-products, marking a path towards greener and more efficient energy solutions.
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Source and photo: polarnightenergy.fi
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