this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2026
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Futurology
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what’s the source for the $25/kWh claim? that’s about 100x more than I was expecting.
That's the construction cost. If the cycle life is 1000, then you would get $0.025/kWh.
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.
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
It should only get cheaper with time though. How much degradation can you expect with sand. I do wonder what is the ROI on this kind of thing.
OP why did you add this into your title when the article doesn't say that anywhere in the text?
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.