Energy Storage

With the pandemic still raging, supply chain disruptions, the chip shortage, climate catastrophes, and geopolitical turbulence, it is safe to say 2021 has not been smooth sailing. The materials and chemical sector provides the backbone of every industry and remains under pressure from all these challenges. In this article, IDTechEx highlights the key news from their independent perspective on this crucial industry.

In the past, the lack of end-of-life batteries meant that the Li-ion (lithium-ion) recycling market had little opportunity to prosper but the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is changing this.

Trains have been on the sidelines of electrification efforts for a long time in theUS because they account for only 2% of transportation sector emissions, but diesel freight trains emit 35 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually and produce air pollution that leads to $6.5 billion in health costs, resulting in an estimated 1,000 premature deaths each year.

Wednesday 1 December 2021 - A market update on electric vehicles; Technology trends to watch out for in electric vehicle powertrains (electric motors, power electronics, cell-to-pack); The levelling up of autonomous vehicles; Opportunities for fuel cell electric vehicles.

FREYR Battery has become a member of the Fair Cobalt Alliance to underscore FREYR's commitment to developing a sustainable global battery industry.

NEO Battery Materials are a Canadian resource company looking to develop a quartz-silica mine in Canada, BC in addition to developing silicon anode technology for Li-ion batteries.

Eos Energy are a US company who are commercialising their static zinc-halide batteries.

Zinc 8 Energy are a Canadian developer of Zn-air energy storage systems.

Pure Battery Technology is an Australian cathode precursor producer that acquired K&E Germany in 2020.

Lithion is a Canadian Li-ion battery recycler that currently operate on pilot scale and are planning to open a commercial-scale facility in 2022.

A trailblazing hydrogen storage project near Glasgow has been backed by nearly £10 million in UK government funding. The cash boost will see the Whitelee green hydrogen project develop the UK's largest electrolyser, a system which converts water into hydrogen gas as a way to store energy. It will be located alongside ScottishPower's Whitelee Windfarm, the largest of its kind in the UK, and will produce and store hydrogen to supply local transport providers with zero-carbon fuel.

With the development of Li-ion chemistries based on silicon anodes gaining pace, it is important to understand the underlying technological issues being solved and advancements being made. However, companies can be secretive regarding their solutions and regarding performance. The following premium article will present the key patent assignees and technological developments occurring in silicon anodes by looking at the patents being filed in this area.

Energy storage technologies are undergoing a challenging transformation, vital in an emerging climate that increasingly necessitates renewable energies and recyclable hardware. Covering a wide portfolio of energy storage technologies, their history, and their outlook for the future, IDTechEx looks at how the energy storage sector has fared over the past year, and where it is headed for the next.

Lyten Inc are a graphene material and Li-S battery company who exited stealth mode in September 2021. IDTechEx spoke with George Liddle, Director, Analysis and Karel Vanheusden, VP Product Development.

The vanadium redox flow battery is a promising sustainable energy storage system. In a vanadium redox flow battery cell, an ion exchange membrane is used to prevent formation of a cathode/anode short circuit and avoid electrolyte crossover and side reactions, while allowing proton conduction to keep the cell electrically neutral.

Despite the roaring success of EVs, adequate charging infrastructure is lagging behind. It is a classic chicken-versus-egg scenario: do public charging stations help drive EV adoption, or does greater EV adoption demand a more comprehensive public charging infrastructure?

Climate change is one of humanity's most pressing challenges. In an effort to accelerate global action in limiting temperature rises, international lawmakers, business leaders, scientists, and activists convened in Glasgow (U.K.) for the past two weeks in the UN's Climate Change Conference (COP26). In this article, IDTechEx examines three crucial technologies in the fight against climate change that saw advancements (or not) during this COP's proceedings.

AFC Energy announces that ABB B.V, has placed its first order for the high energy dense "S" Series hydrogen fuel cell system. The order is worth £4 million, with the zero-emission power generator system scheduled for delivery ahead of schedule in early 2023.

Northvolt has produced its first battery cell with 100% recycled nickel, manganese and cobalt and now aims towards scale-up of recycling facilities in Sweden.

Forecasts from IDTechEx report "Li-ion Battery Recycling Market 2022-2042"