Scarce materials for energy storage

Do we need a good energy-storage system?

To make the best use of these energy sources, we need good energy-storage systems. Unfortunately, we currently only have the capacity to store around 1% of the energy consumed worldwide, most of which (98%) is through pumped-storage hydroelectricity 1, 2.

What chemistry can be used for large-scale energy storage?

Another Na-based chemistry of interest for large-scale energy storage is the Na-NiCl 2 (so called, ZEBRA) 55, 57 battery that typically operates at 300°C and provides 2.58 V.

Which electrochemical energy storage technologies are most attractive?

Lithium–air and lithium–sulfur batteries are presently among the most attractive electrochemical energy-storage technologies because of their exceptionally high energy content in contrast to insertion-electrode Li + -ion batteries.

Which materials are most important in the energy transition?

Materials with unique properties such as neodymium, copper and lithium seem, for now, more critical than graphite, cobalt and indium, where alternatives exist. There is a need to better understand the material requirements of the energy transition in the light of the rapid innovations that are taking place on the production side.

How to design electrochemical storage systems?

Scaling up from portable power sources to transportation-scale and grid-scale applications, the design of electrochemical storage systems needs to take into account the cost/abundance of materials, environmental/eco efficiency of cell chemistries, as well as the life cycle and safety analysis.

Can energy storage be sustainable?

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Energy storage using batteries offers a solution to the intermittent nature of energy production from renewable sources; however, such technology must be sustainable.