Overview of battery technologies relevant to decarbonization

Battery technology plays a crucial role in climate solutions and decarbonization, as it enables renewable energy storage, supports electric vehicles (EVs), and powers various applications needed for sustainable infrastructure. Here’s an overview of battery types that are essential for these solutions:

1. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Batteries

• Applications: EVs, portable electronics, and grid storage.
• Advantages: High energy density, long cycle life, and low self-discharge.
• Limitations: Relies on materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which have environmental and ethical mining concerns; sensitive to overheating, which requires robust management systems.
• Decarbonization Role: Central to the EV industry, helping reduce transportation emissions, and supporting grid stability by storing renewable energy.

2. Solid-state Batteries

• Applications: Next-gen EVs and consumer electronics.
• Advantages: Higher energy density than Li-ion, non-flammable, potentially faster charging, and longer lifespan.
• Limitations: High production cost, scalability challenges, and technical obstacles in maintaining performance across a range of temperatures.
• Decarbonization Role: Projected to be a breakthrough for EVs, enabling longer ranges and faster charging, which could accelerate the adoption of electric transportation.

3. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Batteries

• Applications: EVs, stationary energy storage.
• Advantages: Stable, safe, less prone to overheating, and made from abundant materials (iron and phosphate).
• Limitations: Lower energy density compared to other Li-ion batteries, which can limit its use in long-range applications.
• Decarbonization Role: Well-suited for stationary energy storage and short-to-medium-range EVs, LFP batteries are increasingly used for grid applications due to their safety and durability.

4. Sodium-ion Batteries

• Applications: Grid storage, potentially low-cost EVs.
• Advantages: Uses abundant sodium instead of lithium, potentially cheaper and less environmentally impactful.
• Limitations: Lower energy density than lithium-based batteries, though improving with advances in materials.
• Decarbonization Role: Ideal for stationary applications where energy density is less critical, sodium-ion batteries could offer a sustainable alternative for large-scale storage.

5. Flow Batteries

• Applications: Large-scale renewable energy storage for grid support.
• Advantages: Long lifespan, easy scalability, and can independently scale power and energy capacity.
• Limitations: Lower energy density, making them unsuitable for mobile applications; higher upfront costs.
• Decarbonization Role: Ideal for long-duration storage, flow batteries store renewable energy and release it over extended periods, helping balance the grid during low renewable production.

6. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries

• Applications: Hybrid vehicles and certain electronics.
• Advantages: Safer and more stable than Li-ion, with a moderate energy density.
• Limitations: Heavier and lower energy density compared to Li-ion, as well as higher self-discharge rates.
• Decarbonization Role: Used mainly in hybrid vehicles; limited role in long-term decarbonization due to competition from Li-ion and solid-state alternatives.

7. Zinc-based Batteries (Zinc-air, Zinc-ion)

• Applications: Grid storage, remote power applications.
• Advantages: Abundant, recyclable materials (zinc), environmentally friendly, and stable.
• Limitations: Low energy density and shorter life in certain applications; challenges with energy efficiency.
• Decarbonization Role: Potentially viable for stationary grid storage; research is advancing to improve cycle life and efficiency.

8. Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries

• Applications: Renewable energy storage, grid backup, and limited EV applications.
• Advantages: Mature technology, cost-effective, and highly recyclable.
• Limitations: Lower energy density and shorter lifespan than newer chemistries; lead content requires careful disposal.
• Decarbonization Role: While largely being phased out of new applications, advanced lead-acid batteries are still used in specific stationary storage setups due to their recyclability.

9. Hydrogen Fuel Cells

• Applications: Long-haul transport, heavy-duty vehicles, and stationary backup power.
• Advantages: High energy density, quick refueling, and zero emissions when using green hydrogen.
• Limitations: Requires hydrogen infrastructure, and green hydrogen production is still energy-intensive.
• Decarbonization Role: Key for sectors where batteries may not be ideal, such as heavy transport, long-range applications, and backup power for critical infrastructure.