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.
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.
The good news is the technology is becoming increasingly economical. Battery costs have fallen drastically, dropping 90% since 2010, and they’re not done yet. According to the IEA report, battery costs could fall an additional 40% by the end of this decade.
Here are five leading alternative battery technologies that could power the future. 1. Advanced Lithium-ion batteries Lithium-ion batteries can be found in almost every electrical item we use daily – from our phones to our wireless headphones, toys, tools, and electric vehicles.
Good news: batteries are getting cheaper. While early signs show just how important batteries can be in our energy system, we still need gobs more to actually clean up the grid. If we’re going to be on track to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to zero by midcentury, we’ll need to increase battery deployment sevenfold.
If they are successful, these new batteries could provide a stable and reliable power supply from renewable sources, even during times of low sun or wind. The team is now working on optimizing the electrolyte composition.