Pasir, batu bata dan garam cair: Solusi penyimpanan energi terbarukan masa depan? | DW Business

Summary

The video explores the innovative potential of thermal batteries, including the world’s first sand battery in Finland. These batteries store renewable energy as heat, using materials like sand, bricks, and rocks, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional energy storage methods. With a focus on large-scale energy storage for district heating and industrial processes, thermal batteries provide a cost-effective, durable solution. Despite challenges like energy loss and environmental concerns over resource extraction, these technologies are critical in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the transition to renewable energy, aligning with global decarbonization goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world's first sand battery is capable of storing 100 tons of sand, which can convert renewable energy into heat.
• 😀 Sand batteries are one type of thermal battery, designed to store energy efficiently and sustainably.
• 😀 The largest sand battery in the world will be built in Pornainen, Finland, to supply heat to a district heating network.
• 😀 Sand is used in thermal batteries due to its small particles and large surface area, which store heat effectively.
• 😀 Sand batteries can store electricity in the form of heat at temperatures between 500 and 600°C for extended periods, even weeks or months.
• 😀 Thermal energy storage is crucial to manage renewable energy from intermittent sources like solar and wind.
• 😀 John O'Donnell’s company, Rondo, uses clay bricks as thermal batteries that can also convert heat back into electricity, reaching temperatures of 1,500°C.
• 😀 Thermal storage batteries are projected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the potential to decrease emissions by up to 14% globally by 2050.
• 😀 Other materials, such as rocks and liquid salts, are also being used in large-scale thermal storage batteries, with some already in use for industrial applications.
• 😀 The goal of thermal storage batteries is to replace fossil fuels in various industrial processes and contribute to a greener energy future.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of sand batteries?

Sand batteries are designed to store renewable energy by converting electricity into heat, which can be stored for weeks or even months. This heat is then released when needed to supply power to district heating systems, homes, and other facilities.

Why is sand used as a material for thermal batteries?

Sand is used because it is abundant, low-cost, and has a high surface area, which allows it to store heat efficiently. The material can be heated to temperatures of 500-600°C, making it an effective medium for storing thermal energy.

What is the size of the first sand battery built in Finland?

The first sand battery built in Finland is smaller than the one planned for Pornainen, measuring 4 meters in width and 7 meters in height, and containing about 100 tons of sand.

How does the sand battery compare to lithium-ion batteries?

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which rely on rare minerals, sand batteries use abundant natural resources. Additionally, thermal batteries like sand batteries are more cost-effective and can store larger amounts of energy for longer periods without degradation over time.

What role do thermal batteries play in the transition to renewable energy?

Thermal batteries are essential in the renewable energy transition because they help store excess energy generated by wind and solar power, which are intermittent. They ensure that energy can be stored during peak production and delivered when demand is high or production is low.

How do brick-based thermal batteries work, and what sets them apart from sand batteries?

Brick-based thermal batteries store energy at much higher temperatures (up to 1,500°C) than sand batteries, and they can also convert the stored heat back into electricity. This versatility makes them suitable for industrial applications where high temperatures are required.

What are some industrial applications of thermal batteries?

Thermal batteries, particularly those made from bricks, are used in industrial processes that require high heat, such as steel manufacturing. They can replace fossil fuels and help reduce carbon emissions by providing clean, renewable heat.

What is the environmental impact of using sand for thermal batteries?

Although sand is an abundant resource, its extraction can lead to environmental issues like erosion, flooding, and the degradation of coastlines. This has led to efforts to explore alternative materials for thermal storage, like rock fragments.

How does the molten salt thermal storage system in Chile work?

In Chile, a solar power plant uses heliostats (mirrors) to focus sunlight onto a tower, where the heat is absorbed by molten salt. The heated salt is stored and can generate electricity for over 17 hours when needed, making it a highly efficient long-duration energy storage solution.

What are the future prospects of thermal batteries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

Thermal batteries have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to recent reports, thermal energy storage systems could reduce carbon emissions by up to 2% by 2030 and up to 14% globally by 2050 by replacing fossil fuels in industrial processes and enabling cleaner energy storage.