Batteries made of super-hot sand: for long-duration grid storage at $4 to $10 per kWh

Wayne Hicks | Source: Energy Post | Posted 04/30/2024

Keyword Tags:

Our electric future needs low-cost long-duration storage for grids. Per kWh, pumped hydropower is about $60, compressed air energy storage (CAES) costs from $150 to $300, and lithium-ion batteries cost around $300 (and only store energy from one to four hours). Wayne Hicks at NREL describes research into thermal energy storage (TES) using solid particles such as sand which is abundant worldwide. With a duration lasting hundreds of hours, experiments and subsequent modelling reveal sand storage would cost from $4 to $10 per kWh.

AI generated summary

Research at NREL explores thermal energy storage (TES) using solid particles like sand as a low-cost, long-duration solution for grid storage. With experiments and models indicating potential costs of $4 to $10 per kWh, sand storage could retain heat for hundreds of hours, surpassing other storage methods in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A pilot for a commercial-scale sand TES system is planned for 2025, aiming to address the need for long-term storage in a more sustainable and accessible manner than traditional methods like lithium-ion batteries or molten salts.

Utilizing sand as a storage medium offers advantages in cost, availability, and sustainability over existing technologies like batteries or pumped storage hydropower. The development of sand TES technology at NREL has the potential to revolutionize energy storage by providing a scalable solution that is not limited by geological constraints. As the energy industry seeks innovations for long-term grid storage, the use of sand for thermal energy storage represents a promising avenue for meeting future energy needs in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.

Link to Original Article

Please find the link to the full article below. (Please note that content provider might require a paid subscription)

Source Link: https://energypost.eu/batteries-made-of-super-hot-sand-for-long-duration-grid-storage-at-4-to-10-per-kwh/

Create a free trial account: Sign Up

Grid monitor is free to try. No credit card required

Batteries made of super-hot sand: for long-duration grid storage at $4 to $10 per kWh

AI generated summary

Link to Original Article

Create a free trial account: Sign Up

Already have an account? Login