Batteries are an integral part of our lifes. From TV remotes to phones, to toothbrushes, doorbells, toothbrushes to pacemakers. An for some, electric bikes, electric cars, and electricity storage. We have drawers full of spares, and the revolution is moving from powering our lifes to powering the world. In themselves they do not create electricity. A single use battery is ok, if it lasts a long time in our pacemaker, but not much use in vehicle or for electricity supply. Unlike fossil fuels, batteries are are technology. They do not capture energy or burn fuel. But when paired with a source of energy, they free us from wires, providing freedom and independence.
Batteries are the standout technology enabling build-out of renewable energy. Even the Economist has a glowing report saying they are the clean energy’s next trillion-dollar business [1]. Like solar panels invented 70 years ago, batteries have 40 years of use from consumer products to now cars and grid storage. A comment from the Economist was “Batteries have done in five years what took solar 15 years.” Fatih Birol from IEA, says “Batteries are changing the game before our eyes.” Note that IEA has a dreadful record with predicing solar rise of 25 years late and 7 times too little.
Batteries have continued their march of increasing energy density. Wrights Law states that manufacturing costs will reduce up to 15% for every doubling in production. Essentially, the more we make of an item, the better we become at doing so. Costs of batteries have declined 97% over the past 20 years and 90% in just the past 10 years and we will explore these in more detail below.
Nano-silicon anodes are a promising new technology for lithium-ion batteries. They offer 30% superior capacity, faster charging and longer life than traditional graphite anodes. Group 14 is a leading company in this field, and their technology is already being used in smartphones. They are now expanding their production to meet the growing demand for batteries in electric vehicles and other applications.
Group14 Silicon Anodes Read More »
Batteries are essential for the renewable energy transition. They enable storage of excess solar power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Tesla’s recent announcement of producing 100 million 4680 batteries highlights the rapid advancements in battery technology. This progress is crucial for a sustainable energy future, for electric transport and grid storage to enable full production by solar and wind for the end of the fossil fuel era
Batteries End Fossil Fuel Era Read More »
Batteries are essential components in modern technology. From smartphones to electric vehicles, they store and deliver energy efficiently. Understanding battery systems involves factors like chemistry, capacity, and management. Proper maintenance and disposal are crucial for ensuring their longevity and environmental sustainability.
25 Factors in Battery Systems Read More »
A new study challenges conventional wisdom in EV battery manufacturing. Researchers found that fast charging, despite initial lithium loss, can significantly extend battery lifespan. This could lead to more efficient and sustainable electric vehicles and extend grid storage batteries to decades
Batteries Last 40 Years with Latest Research Read More »
Multiple manufacturers announce progress in lithium batteries. Increasing density, decreasing cost, increasing range, faster charging, more cycle life. Will the 1000-mile battery make it into vehicles by 2030?
1000-Mile Battery Innovations Read More »
In 2019, United Energy in Melbourne trialled power pole mounted batteries for local community storage and electricity services. A Brisbane Company is extending that with commercial products.
Batteries Mounted on Power Poles for Community Batteries Read More »
Solid state battery announcements are from mutliple battery vendors. Promising faster charging, longer lifetime with greater energy density is the promise, but the challenge has been to match PR releases with reality. Schaeffler is the latest to enter the space.
Ten Solid State Battery Announcements Read More »
Exponential battery growth is underway and hideen from most climate change commentaries yet will enable full renewable energy within a decade.
Exponential Battery Growth is Underway Read More »
Solid-state batteries are the next big thing in battery technology but unfortunately, Toyota’s failure with solid state batteries is clear to see since 2009. Even in 2023, Toyota continues to release announcements now with a prospective launch day of 2027/2028. Three questions remain unanswered Whole Mars Blog was
Toyota’s Failure With Solid State Batteries: A Timeline from 2009 to 2023 Read More »
Advent of big batteries changes electricity from synchronus (ie, generate and use) to asynchronous, i.e. store and use to match demand and supply. The grid will change from baseload and peaking to dispatchable renewables and variable renewables.
Baseload to Dispatchable – Transforming Electricity Read More »
The quantity of elements in a battery is shown in Visual Capitalist images. The quantity of graphite is up to 50% of the battery, but cheap, whereas other elements may be small but expensive.
Elements in Batteries Read More »
Faster charging batteries, better battery packs. The enhancements keep coming, not just from CATL, but other manufacturers of batteries, leading to a 20% plus increase in battery capacity per year.
15 Minute Charging Batteries from CATL Read More »
The Grid Battery of nickel and hydrogen from Enervenue commercialising a NASA technology major advantage is extremely high cycle time and extramely low degradation over 2 decades.
Nickel Hydrogen Battery Read More »
The Tesla 4680 production has been growting at 21% per month since product launch. By the end of 2023, the 4680 battery will start deliverying the increase in cell density and cycle time as promised in 2019.
Tesla 4680 Battery Ramp Read More »
Concentrated solar CSP improvements are welcome, as many CSP plants were built 10 years ago but cheap solar panels have displaced CSP plants. Improvements are welcome.
Concentrated Solar CSP Improvements Read More »
Improvements in battery chemistry and form factors is leading to a learning curve of 15% annually for energy density and price. Compare these new battery chemistries
New Chemistry Battery Comparison Read More »
The top 20 lithium ion battery manufacturers manufacture over 1TW of batteries annually and on a ramp up to produce over 3 TW per year – on the way to 250TW needed for total electrification of grid and transportation,
Top 20 Lithium Ion Battery Manufacturers Read More »
The graphene aluminium-ion batteries developed by GMG promises a radical improvement compared with the lihium batteries currently the workhorse for transportation and grid energy with 4 times more energy, long life, fast charging, non flamable and cheaper.
Graphene Aluminium-Ion Batteries by GMG Read More »
Ion air batteries for grid scale batteries target cost is $20KWh by 2030. Well funded, Form Energy is building a 12GW factory in Iowa, and has pilot and first plants under construction to be
Iron Air Batteries Read More »
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has driven a huge investment in battery factories, hydrogen, wind and solar farms, battery storage and other emission reduction technologies.
USA Inflation Reduction Act Read More »
