New research reveals that battery manufacturing will be more energy-efficient in future because technological advances and economies of scale will counteract the projected rise in future energy demand.
Battery technology has emerged as a critical component in the new energy transition. As the world seeks more sustainable energy solutions, advancements in battery technology are transforming electric transportation, renewable energy integration, and grid resilience.
Battery production has been ramping up quickly in the past few years to keep pace with increasing demand. In 2023, battery manufacturing reached 2.5 TWh, adding 780 GWh of capacity relative to 2022. The capacity added in 2023 was over 25% higher than in 2022.
The new manufacturing technologies such as high-efficiency mixing, solvent-free deposition, and fast formation could be the key to achieve this target. Besides the upgrading of battery materials, the potential of increasing the energy density from the manufacturing end starts to make an impact.
Nature Energy 8, 1180–1181 (2023) Cite this article Lithium-ion battery manufacturing is energy-intensive, raising concerns about energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions amid surging global demand.
The planet’s oceans contain enormous amounts of energy. Harnessing it is an early-stage industry, but some proponents argue there’s a role for wave and tidal power technologies. (Undark) Batteries can unlock other energy technologies, and they’re starting to make their mark on the grid.