Battery Technology
Table of Contents
Introduction
Battery technology plays a crucial role in the transition towards a clean energy future. It enables the storage of excess renewable energy generated from sources like solar and wind, making it possible to use this clean energy even when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. Advances in battery technology have led to significant improvements in energy density, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making it possible to store larger amounts of energy for longer periods of time. The development of advanced battery systems is essential for the widespread adoption of renewable energy and for achieving a sustainable energy future.
We usually think about electricity when we think about batteries, but some of these technologies store excess heat for redistribution (such as Berlin's new water thermos which collects extra wind and solar energy, converts it to hot water which is then available to businesses and homes in the community). Other methods such as pumped hydro rely on potential energy to raise water or weights, then slowly release the material of choice for later energy needs.
Types of Energy Storage
We often think of batteries when we thing of storage, as well as the environmental issues such as mining and end-of-life pollution. However there are more options for energy storage than many people realize. These include:
Gravity Batteries scientists have proposed that old mines could be used for these.
Flywheels take waste energy and stores it as kinetic energy.
Hydrogen Oxygen Separation which can be used to generate steam for electricity production.
Clay BricksÂ
This is suitable for the high temperatures needed for industrial heating. Industrial processes often need temperatures over 1000 degrees Celsius. Currently industrial emissions account for about 36% of global emissions, and energy for heating accounts for 74% of industrial emissions.Â
How 3000 Degree Bricks Will End Battery Storage 8 minute videoÂ
These apparently have "98% storage efficiency of energy densities equal to lithium ion batteries at 20% of the cost, and without using critical materials."
Compressed Air
EV BatteriesÂ
Batteries of EVs including school buses may provide another boost in our storage capacity, as they can charge during peak production hours (while we aren't using them because we are at work or school), then they can help provide utilities with extra power during high-use periods when production is often lower. For example around dinner time when the sun goes down, but people are cooking meals, washing dishes, and setting off laundry machines for the evening.Â
Flywheel Technology
A 4:14 minute video. Flywheels have been used for a long time, helping to power steam boats, but new innovations including vacuum-sealed units that can spin at twice the speed of sound are making flywheels increasingly efficient.
Gravity Batteries
Scientists have proposed that old mines could be used for these.
Stacking Weights and converting the potential energy back.Â
Is this the same or different?
Lead Acid Batteries
"Lead acid batteries are the most commonly used type of battery in photovoltaic systems. Although lead acid batteries have a low energy density, only moderate efficiency and high maintenance requirements, they also have a long lifetime and low costs compared to other battery types. One of the singular advantages of lead acid batteries is that they are the most commonly used form of battery for most rechargeable battery applications (for example, in starting car engines), and therefore have a well-established established, mature technology base. " - PVEducation
Lithium Ion
Molten Salt
Hydrogen Storage
Pumped Hydro
This can be a good solution in places with naturally hilly or mountainous geography, but may pose a risk to species such as eels.
Water HeatingÂ
This method can take excess energy from renewables to heat water which can then be distributed or used instead of wasting energy on individual water heaters with gas or other fuels. Berlin is working on a community scale "thermos".
Companies Providing Energy Storage Options
Gravity Storage
Gravtricity "Our GraviStore underground gravity storage technology uses the power of gravity to offer some of the best characteristics of lithium batteries and pumped hydro storage.
Ideally suited to network-constrained users and operators, distribution networks and major power users, our technology operates in the 1MW to 20 MW power range and enables existing grid infrastructure to go further in a renewable energy world."
Kinetic Energy Storage
Amber Kinetics "Amber Kinetics is the industry-leader in manufacturing long-duration kinetic energy storage systems (KESS). As the only provider of long-duration flywheel energy storage, Amber Kinetics extends the duration and efficiency of flywheels from minutes to hours—resulting in safe, sustainable and reliable energy storage."
Superheated Energy Storage
Rondo "From calcining to cogeneration, from food processing to fuel production, Rondo’s Heat Battery is compatible with 90 percent of industrial processes and power needs. Our modular units are designed to serve the unique capacity and temperature requirements of each facility, and the output is configurable to customers’ specifications."
Organizations
North America
USA
The Clean Energy States Alliance "is a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy.
CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop clean energy programs and inclusive renewable energy markets. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country."
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program "provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants."
Self-Help Credit Union "Our mission is creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for all, especially people of color, women, rural residents and low-wealth families and communities.
Self-Help Credit Union has branches in NC, SC, FL and VA, and we offer remote services like online and mobile banking to make joining us easy no matter where you live." "We're poised to use a major funding award from the EPA to help create a clean energy future for all."