With the global transition to greener energy accelerating, the need for increased battery capacity and efficient, safe, and sustainable battery technology has become more critical. However, battery development and manufacturing have a substantial environmental footprint today.
Could new battery technology be cheaper and greener?
Emerging alternatives could be cheaper and greener. In Australia's Yarra Valley, new battery technology is helping power the country's residential buildings and commercial ventures – without using lithium. These batteries rely on sodium – an element found in table salt – and they could be another step in the quest for a truly sustainable battery.
Growing concerns about global environmental pollution have triggered the development of sustainable and eco-friendly battery chemistries. In that regard, organic rechargeable batteries are considered promising next-generation systems that could meet the demands of this age.
Lithium batteries are very difficult to recycle and require huge amounts of water and energy to produce. Emerging alternatives could be cheaper and greener. In Australia's Yarra Valley, new battery technology is helping power the country's residential buildings and commercial ventures – without using lithium.
Are sodium batteries more sustainable than lithium?
"Sodium is a much more sustainable source for batteries [than lithium]," says James Quinn, chief executive of Faradion, the UK-based battery technology company that manufactures the sodium-ion batteries for Yarra Valley utility company Nation Energie.
Are sodium-ion batteries more environmentally friendly?
(Photo: Eivind Torgersen / UiO) “Sodium-ion batteries can become a more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. They can also become cheaper and more sustainable," Brennhagen says. In the earth's crust, there is more than 1000 times more sodium than lithium, and sodium can be found everywhere.
Could a battery be possible without dedicated materials?
"Batteries wouldn't be possible without dedicated materials, but adopting those is about much more than just chemistry. The battery is a system that uses materials and is based on chemical principles, but it is also great engineering work to put them together and make them safe.