• phdepressed@sh.itjust.works
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      19 hours ago

      Probably that not just any sand will do. Similar with building concrete/cement the sand used is important, even desert countries often have it shipped in because desert sand isnt the right type.

      • Keilik
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        19 hours ago

        Psssh I know some contractors in Florida that could build these sand batteries for 1/10th the cost. Probably with performance correlating with price too, that’s a bargain

    • Earthwormjim91
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      16 hours ago

      Yeah the article doesn’t actually say that at all. That appears to be pulled straight out of OP’s ass.

      However, if that’s the installed cost, and per kW, then that’s insanely cheap. Solar where I am is about $2500 per kW capacity installed. $25 per kW would be dirt cheap.

  • 🌸𝓯𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻🌸@sh.itjust.works
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    17 hours ago

    discharged via heat exchangers to warm water for the local district heating network.

    It needs certain infrastructure to work.

    You could also use it to generate electricity. That’s 20-40% efficient. With negative prices in summer these days that would still be interesting.

  • blarghly
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    17 hours ago

    Sounds like interesting tech. But as another poster noted, to be useful it needs to be able to deliver the heat to homes, which requires a steam pipe system. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but definitely a big up front cost that communities would need to consider.

    Also, it makes sense that the battery basically just consumes electricity that would otherwise go to waste. But I think it could be an even better system if the sand were heated more directly by the sun for additional heat storage during winter.