Finland’s Polar Night to build 250 MWh sand battery for district heating provider
Only months after inaugurating the world’s largest sand battery – a 1 MW/100 MWh thermal storage system – Polar Night has committed to building a project twice its size.
Vertical bifacial agrivoltaics feasible at high latitudes with 8-meter row spacing
New research from Finland shows how spacing between solar modules plays a key role in determing power and crop yield. The scientists found that, at a separation of 8 m, crops received at least 75% of irradiation, which is expected to result in minimal impact compared with an unshaded scenario.
The Hydrogen Stream EU funds eight hydrogen projects under NetZero call
The EU Innovation Fund has awarded €2.9 billion ($3.4 billion) to 61 projects, including eight advancing hydrogen technologies across aviation, shipping, and heavy transport.
Carousel-shaped measurement platform for Arctic PV
Scientists in Finland have created a special platform to assess the performance of PV modules operating under Arctic conditions. Specifically, it provides data for efficient system design and performance modelling validation, with azimuth and tilt angle being key parameters.
Finnish glass maker offers PV systems integrated into glass balcony parapets
Finland-based Lumon has integrated balcony PV modules into a glass parapet, maintaining the facade’s appearance without visible technical components. The first project using the product has already been completed in Finland.
The Hydrogen Stream: Canada, Germany sign hydrogen-focused joint declaration
The two countries will work to develop an hydrogen corridor to sell hydrogen from Canada’s east cost to German ports. Meanwhile, ITM Power and ABO Energy start joint works to produce hydrogen in Spain and Finland.
Finland inaugurates world’s largest 1 MW/100 MWh sand battery
Finland has inaugurated the world’s largest sand battery, a 1 MW/100 MWh thermal storage system developed by Polar Night Energy. The unit is already exceeding efficiency targets.
Wave power poised to complement solar PV in future global energy mix
Wave power may emerge as a valuable renewable energy source given recent economic and technical projections indicating a substantial potential of wave energy, particularly in coastal and island regions. Wave and solar resources are complementary around the world and thus may lead to energy systems combining solar PV with wave power. Islands may benefit most from wave power added to solar PV.
World’s largest 1 MW/100 MWh sand battery commissioned in Finland
Finnish startup Polar Night Energy has commissioned the world’s largest sand battery in Pornainen, southern Finland. The industrial-scale system delivers 1 MW of thermal power with 100 MWh storage capacity, covering up to a month’s summer heat demand and nearly a week’s winter demand for the local district heating network.
Water-based photovoltaics reach global capacity of 21.18 GW
An international research team has developed an index-based remote sensing method to see trends in the global development of water-based PV. It has found that China currently accounts for 80% of the global total deployed capacity.
