Can these new battery technologies reshape electrification era?

Highlights:

• The electric vehicle space has been gaining popularity as they are considered better for the environment than petrol or diesel cars
• Manufacturing EVs, mining battery minerals, and sourcing energy for charging EVs add considerable carbon to the environment
• The carbon-intensive nature of the cradle-to-grave assessment of EVs makes people think, are they green?
• Many technologies are being studied to transform the EV sector, making it greener than ever

The transition towards a greener world is an aim that is being followed by almost all world economies. With problems like global warming, climate change, and water and air pollution adversely impacting our lives, this transition needs to be easily adaptable and suitable for various geographies and populations.

One such technology attracting organisations and people is the use of batteries-powered vehicles or electric vehicles (EVs) instead of conventional hydrocarbon-based vehicles. Since EVs are based on battery-powered motors, they don’t produce tailpipe emissions like smoke or greenhouse gases, thus protecting our environment.

Are EVs really green?

However, these EVs are being targeted by many tech pundits who believe that the lifetime carbon emissions of EVs are comparable, if not less, than a conventional gasoline-fuelled car. The rationales used for these comparisons are based on the following:

• EVs need charging, which is normally covered by power from electric grids that are normally fossil fuel-based.
• Carbon emissions associated with mining operations for sourcing the minerals used in EV batteries.
• Additional carbon emissions due to energy required to manufacture EV batteries.

(Source: © Leowolfert | Megapixl.com)

Based on these rationales, many believe that EVs’ carbon emissions are similar to or even greater than conventional vehicles in the case of low-lifetime vehicle miles.  

However, research organisations and companies are working day and night to develop battery technologies than can answer the issues currently faced by EV battery technologies.

The answer lies in the type of battery, not in the kind of vehicle

These alternative technologies can store a voluminous amount of renewable energy, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with the energy source.

They are safe, more reliable and increase the battery capacity. This increase in capacity or energy density reduces the amount of minerals that go into the manufacturing of batteries.  

Some of such technologies that have been gaining the limelight are:

VRFB, revolutionising large-scale grid and industrial-scale setups

One such technology that is believed to hold the potential to serve the large-scale grid and industrial setup is Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs). These batteries hold various advantages over other technologies; they have a lifespan of over 20 years.

They are safe, sustainable, and reliable in their operations. Their ease of scalability and higher efficiency make them suitable candidates for the grid sector setup, where they can also store energy from renewable sources.

Dalian Flow Battery Energy Storage Peak-shaving Power Station in China is a vanadium redox flow battery facility. It is believed to be the world’s largest flow battery connected to the grid in China, planned to have a capacity of 100 MW/400 MWhrs.

(Source: © Sompongpnk | Megapixl.com)

Solid State Batteries: safe and high-energy density li-ion battery alternative

These batteries use solid electrolytes instead of the volatile and flammable liquid electrolyte solution used in li-ion batteries. Solid electrolytes enhances safety, making it a safer alternative than liquid lithium batteries.

Studies suggest that these batteries reduce the safety requirements used in vehicles, thus providing extra space for additional battery packs, which boosts vehicles’ performance. Along with being a safer alternative, they also tend to have a high-energy density than their lithium counterpart, giving them a higher mileage.

These batteries are still in the development phase and currently cost way more than lithium-based batteries.   

Aluminium-sulfur batteries: a battery with high charging rate at about 1/6 of li-ion battery cost

Another technology being studied is the aluminium-sulfur battery, which is believed to hold the potential to reduce the cost and supply chain issues associated with conventional battery minerals.

These cells are based on aluminium, one of the most abundant metals available. These cells pair aluminium with sulfur, which is among the cheapest non-metals available globally.

Sourcing aluminium and sulfur for these cells lowers their cost, which stood at one-sixth that of comparable lithium-ion cells. Additionally, the use of molten chloro-aluminate salt enhances their charging speed.  

The advancement in battery technologies can serve as a boon for many sectors in the future. Moreover, they hold the potential to support the global goal of net-zero carbon emissions.