Fully Charged: Battery Storage & How to Make it Better
May 14, 2024
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Dr. Shirley Meng, battery storage expert, discusses advancements in battery technologies, grid-scale energy storage solutions, and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on EV supply chains. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainable practices, safety measures, and the potential for batteries in developing grids.
Advancements in battery technology focus on lithium-ion batteries and explore alternative technologies for diverse energy applications like electric vehicles and grids.
The increasing need for greater energy storage capacities in the next decade emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges to facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources.
Deep dives
Battery Technologies Research Focus
Research primarily focuses on advancing lithium-ion batteries, striving to improve durability and power. Recent exploration extends to beyond lithium-ion technologies like lithium metal, sodium-ion, and solid-state batteries, hoping to offer a range of options for various energy applications such as electric vehicles, grids, and potentially flying cars.
Increasing Energy Storage Capacity Needs
Expectations indicate a need for significantly greater energy storage capacities to achieve electrification and decarbonization objectives. Projections suggest a requirement for up to 10 times more energy storage in the upcoming decade. While challenges exist, advancements in battery technology and infrastructure could meet the escalating demand and facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources.
Challenges and Bottlenecks in Electric Vehicle Expansion
Identified bottlenecks in electric vehicle adoption encompass affordability, charging infrastructure, and negative media portrayal. The need to address these challenges is crucial for broader EV acceptance and market penetration. Overcoming these obstacles requires collective efforts involving technology advancements, policy changes, and public perception shifts.
Grid Scale Energy Storage Strategies
Prominent grid-scale energy projects like the Edwards and Sandborn Solar Plus storage project highlight the importance of battery energy storage systems. While alternatives like electrolytic hydrogen and pump hydro storage exist, batteries, particularly lithium-ion variants, offer high round trip efficiencies and cost-effective solutions, contributing significantly to grid-based power storage.
Hosts David, Sara, and Ed chat with battery storage expert Dr. Shirley Meng of the University of Chicago.
About Our Guest: Dr. Y. Shirley Meng is a Professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. She serves as the Chief Scientist of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science (ACCESS) Argonne National Laboratory.