No, sand batteries are relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Sand batteries, which use sand as a thermal energy storage medium, offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional battery technologies like lithium-ion. Their primary advantage lies in the low cost and high availability of sand, making the storage material itself very affordable.
Here's a cost comparison based on the provided reference:
- Sand Battery: \$4 to \$10 per kilowatt-hour.
- Lithium-ion Battery: \$300 per kilowatt-hour.
This comparison clearly illustrates that sand batteries present a significant cost advantage, potentially making energy storage more accessible and economical. Additionally, sand batteries can store energy for hundreds of hours, a feat lithium-ion batteries struggle to achieve efficiently.
The cost-effectiveness of sand batteries makes them a promising solution for long-duration energy storage, particularly in applications where cost is a primary concern and space is available.
