Innovative Sand-Based Technology to Store Renewable Energy
In an effort to combat climate change and contribute to the global drive for net-zero emissions, Italian company Magaldi Green Thermal Energy Storage is pioneering a novel approach to energy storage using an unlikely resource: sand. By harnessing surplus renewable energy and storing it as heat, this groundbreaking technology could reshape the way industries manage power, while drastically reducing carbon emissions.
A New Approach to Energy Storage
Traditional batteries, with their reliance on expensive and finite metals, have long been considered the go-to method for storing renewable energy. However, Magaldi’s new thermal energy storage system presents a cost-effective alternative. The process uses fluidized silica sand to absorb and store heat generated by excess renewable energy, which can then be discharged to create electricity when needed.
The system operates in three key phases — charging, storing, and discharging — similar to the mechanics of a battery, but without the need for costly materials like lithium or cobalt. During the charging phase, renewable energy heats the sand, which is stored in insulated tanks designed to minimize heat loss. According to Magaldi, their system loses less than 2% of the stored heat over a 24-hour period.
Efficient Energy Conversion
When the stored energy is required, the system releases the heat through a heat exchanger, generating superheated steam that can reach up to 752 degrees Fahrenheit. This steam is then used to power turbines, producing electricity without the emissions typically associated with fossil fuels.
Letizia Magaldi, Executive Vice President of Magaldi Green Thermal Energy Storage, highlighted the flexibility of the system in a recent interview. “Our storage technology can be used in the steam section of existing thermoelectric power plants or in combined cycle gas turbine plants,” she stated in a 2021 article in PV Magazine. This compatibility with existing infrastructure could accelerate the adoption of the technology in industries where decarbonizing heat production has been a persistent challenge.
The Importance of Decarbonizing Heat
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the production of thermal energy is responsible for up to 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The heat required for industrial processes, such as manufacturing, is often generated using dirty energy sources, making the decarbonization of this sector a critical component in reaching global climate targets.
Magaldi’s system offers a sustainable solution to this issue. By using heat instead of electricity for energy storage, the technology reduces the need for fossil fuels in power generation. Moreover, it has the potential to reduce the strain on power grids by storing surplus renewable energy and releasing it when demand peaks.
A Global Shift Towards Thermal Energy Storage
Magaldi is not the only company exploring the potential of thermal energy storage. Finland is currently developing an underground facility designed to store vast amounts of thermal energy, while Israel’s Nostromo has created the IceBrick system, which stores energy in the form of ice to cool buildings during peak demand periods. These projects highlight a growing interest in alternative energy storage methods, as countries around the world search for more efficient ways to manage renewable energy.
In the UK, energy storage solutions like these could play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting the country’s ambitious net-zero targets. As the demand for renewable energy continues to rise, the need for flexible and efficient storage solutions has never been more pressing.
Impact and Future Prospects
Magaldi’s thermal storage system is set to begin operations this year, with a deployment planned at the IGI food supply plant in Italy. According to Renewable Energy Magazine, the unit is expected to prevent the release of 600 tons of carbon dioxide annually. This significant reduction in emissions will contribute to the global fight against climate change and serve as a model for other industries looking to decarbonize their operations.
The success of Magaldi’s project could mark a turning point in the energy sector, proving that thermal energy storage is not only technologically feasible but also economically viable. With an efficiency rate of over 90% in thermal-to-thermal applications, this innovative system may pave the way for widespread adoption across industries.
As Letizia Magaldi emphasizes, the decarbonization of industrial heat is crucial in the journey to net-zero emissions. With technological solutions like Magaldi’s thermal storage system, this goal is becoming increasingly attainable.
The Path to Net-Zero
As the world moves toward a future powered by renewable energy, the development of efficient, scalable energy storage systems will be vital. Magaldi’s sand-based thermal storage technology represents a significant step in this direction, offering a promising solution for industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
In a world where the effects of climate change are becoming more evident, innovations like these could hold the key to a sustainable and clean energy future.
