New 'sand-in-motion' battery offers 10x more heat transfer efficiency

Finnish cleantech startup TheStorage has launched its first industrial-scale thermal energy system at a brewery in January 2026, marking a significant advancement in industrial heat production. The system converts renewable electricity into heat stored in sand, which can then be used on demand for industrial processes. This "sand-in-motion" technology achieves up to 10 times higher heat transfer efficiency compared to traditional static storage methods, enabling energy cost reductions of up to 70% and carbon emission cuts of up to 90% for manufacturing facilities. The system is scalable, with storage capacities from 20 to 500 MWh and charging power between 1 to 20 MW, addressing the heavy-duty heat demands of various industries. The technology tackles a critical global issue, as industrial heat accounts for 20% of global energy use, with 80% currently derived from fossil fuels. By using cheap, abundant renewable electricity to heat sand to temperatures up to 800°C, the system stores thermal energy efficiently and delivers it