Pornainen, a small town located in southern Finland, has recently made a big step towards a more sustainable future. The town has turned on a 100 MWh thermal battery filled with ground up soapstone, making it the first of its kind in the world.
This innovative project, developed by the Finnish company Savo-Solar, aims to provide a solution for storing excess energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power. The thermal battery, also known as a heat battery, is made up of thousands of small soapstone pellets that are heated up and stored in insulated containers. When the energy is needed, the hot stones are used to produce steam, which in turn generates electricity.
The idea of using soapstone as a storage medium for thermal energy is not new, but this is the first time it has been implemented on such a large scale. The use of soapstone has several advantages over other materials, such as water or molten salt, which are commonly used in thermal energy storage systems. Soapstone has a higher heat capacity, meaning it can store more energy in a smaller volume. It is also a natural and abundant material, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option.
The thermal battery in Pornainen has a capacity of 100 MWh, which is enough to power approximately 10,000 households for one hour. This means that the excess energy generated by renewable sources can now be stored and used when needed, reducing the reliance on traditional fossil fuels. This is a significant step towards a more sustainable and greener future for the town of Pornainen.
The project has also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, highlighting its importance and potential impact on the global energy market. The thermal battery in Pornainen is just the beginning, as Savo-Solar plans to build larger and more powerful batteries in the future. This will not only benefit the town of Pornainen but also have a positive impact on the entire country and beyond.
The mayor of Pornainen, Jari Tolonen, expressed his excitement about the project, stating that it is a great example of how a small town can make a big impact on the global fight against climate change. He also mentioned that the thermal battery will not only provide a more sustainable energy solution but also create new job opportunities in the town.
The town of Pornainen has always been at the forefront of environmental initiatives, and this project is just another example of their commitment to a greener future. The thermal battery is a game-changer in the renewable energy sector, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way we store and use energy. It is a step towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient society, where clean and renewable energy is the norm.
The success of this project in Pornainen has caught the attention of other countries and companies, who are now looking into implementing similar thermal battery systems. This could have a significant impact on the global energy market and accelerate the transition to clean and renewable energy sources.
In conclusion, the town of Pornainen has set an excellent example for other communities around the world by turning on a 100 MWh thermal battery filled with ground up soapstone. This project not only provides a more sustainable energy solution but also showcases the potential of using innovative and natural materials in the energy storage sector. It is a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future, and we can only hope that more towns and cities will follow in Pornainen’s footsteps.
