The new battery technology

We’re rapidly moving towards a state in which demand for lithium-ion batteries will exceed supply. Which creates an interesting situation when it comes to innovation in battery technology.

Moving away from coal-fired petrol, diesel and gas means batteries, batteries and then more batteries to store energy and power vehicles.

We need more and more batteries for renewable energy storage, EVs and grid stability too. But can the world keep up with battery demand? And what are the alternatives being explored in battery technology if we can’t?

Where does the lithium come from?

With 4.8m tonnes of the stuff, Australia’s got the world’s second-largest reserve of lithium, and we currently produce 52% of the world’s lithium, making us the world’s current leading producer.

Several other countries contribute significantly to the world’s lithium supply, too.

Chile, for example, the second-largest producer, accounts for 23.9% of global output, while China ranks third, producing 16.2% of the world’s lithium and controlling most of the processing facilities.

Argentina, Brazil and Zimbabwe have seen rapid growth in recent years, while Portugal and the US also produce small current percentages.

The world’s biggest lithium reserves? Bolivia,  estimated at 21 million tonnes.

Given that current annual global production of lithium is around 500,000 tonnes, there seems plenty to go around.

And that’s fine for now.

But given that lithium-ion is the favoured battery technology for EVs and solar storage, for example, with greater demand for batteries comes greater demand for lithium.

There are various estimates (guesstimates?!) here, but over the next couple of decades it’s forecast (at the top end of the guesses) that lithium demand could reach 3 million tonnes in 2030, while supply will be around 1 million. McKinsey forecasts global lithium-ion demand to reach around 4.7 TWh by 2030 – with EVs accounting for 4300 GWh.

Problemo.

So, it’s no surprise that smart folk around the world are exploring alternative battery technology.

Here, we take a look at some of the alternatives, what happens at the end of life, and some interesting power experiments from days gone by.

Alternative battery technology

The general consensus is we’ll need other battery types to complement lithium-ion batteries, so companies around the world are experimenting with different types of battery technology… 

• Sodium-ion batteries use sodium as the charge carrier rather than lithium, and sodium can be taken from sea water. They are currently being developed but have a lower energy density, making them unsuitable for high-energy density tasks such as EVs.

• Zinc-based batteries use zinc as the main battery material, which is easier to find than lithium. Zinc-air batteries make electricity by mixing zinc with oxygen from the air. They are already used in some small devices, but scientists are still improving the technology.
• Redox flow batteries store electricity in liquid chemicals instead of solid materials. They work by pumping special liquids through a membrane to create power – good for storing renewable energy like wind and solar power in big battery systems.
• Solid-state batteries use a solid material instead of liquid inside the battery. This could make batteries safer and able to store more energy. Lots of companies are investing in this technology, but it’s not yet ready for widespread use. The inside tip is these batteries could be the longer-term solution in vehicles.
• Lithium-sulfur batteries use sulfur instead of expensive metals like cobalt. These can store more energy than current batteries but wear out quickly. Some early versions exist.
• Metal-air batteries generate electricity by mixing a metal with oxygen from the air. They can potentially store lots of energy, but are still mostly in the research stage. Zinc-air and aluminium-air versions are also being tested.

 

What happens to batteries when they’re recycled?

Another big question mark over batteries is what happens at the end of life? There’s been all sorts of stories about the environmental impact of batteries, so what’s the go?

Lead-acid batteries should be recycled as 95% of the components can be used again. However, many of us are guilty of just chucking them in the bin. This is problematic as they contain dangerous materials that can cause pollution, poisoning, and contamination, as well as fire.

When it comes to lithium-ion batteries, they’re almost 100% recyclable, and the tech here is still being developed, too.

Unusual battery technology

Never mind batteries, there’s loads of other ways to create energy. Here’s some more of the unusual experiments we’ve read about!

Jellyfish protein can generate electricity when exposed to UV light.

Firefly enzymes can also produce electricity using a mixture of chemicals.

Urine, via a microbial fuel cell system developed by Bristol University.

Cocoa waste in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is being used to power a biomass plant.

Onion juice can be converted to methane for electricity generation.