Case Pornainen

Polar Night Energy is constructing an industrial-scale thermal energy storage for Loviisan Lämpö. The new 1 MW Sand Battery is being built in Pornainen, integrating with Loviisan Lämpö’s district heating network. The thermal energy storage medium will be crushed soapstone, a byproduct of Tulikivi’s production of heat retaining fireplaces.

The purpose of the Sand Battery is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of the district heating production in the Pornainen municipality and introduce a new flexible heat production technology.

The impact of the investment on total emissions is approximately 160 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, translating to nearly a 70% reduction in emissions from the district heating network of Pornainen. In addition to eliminating the usage of oil, the combustion of woodchips is expected to decrease by around 60%.

The Sand Battery is flexible in both its electricity usage and district heating production. It is charged from the electric grid using charging algorithms developed by Polar Night Energy, minimizing the cost of electricity used for charging while meeting the heat demand of the district heating network. The thermal energy storage capacity corresponds to almost one-month heat demand in summer and a one-week demand in winter in Pornainen.

“Loviisan Lämpö is moving towards more environmentally friendly energy production. With the Sand Battery, we can significantly reduce energy produced by combustion and completely eliminate the use of oil,” says Mikko Paajanen, CEO of Loviisan Lämpö.

Also the municipality of Pornainen is enthusiastic about the new heating method, aligning with its goal of “Towards a Carbon-Neutral Pornainen.” Many of the municipality’s own buildings, including the Comprehensive School, town hall, and library, rely on district heating.

The Sand Battery will be approximately 13 meters high and 15 meters wide and will act as a primary production plant in Pornainen’s district heating network. The project has received support from Business Finland’s new technology energy aid.

Loviisan Lämpö is a Finnish district heating company that supplies district heating to its customers in Loviisa, Pukkila, Pornainen, Pyhtää Siltakylä, Pyhtää village center, and Lappohja. Loviisan Lämpö is owned by CapMan Infra.