Next Generation Batteries: The Future of Energy Storage

Abstract 

Studies have established that human lifestyle is entirely established by energy. Various forms of energy enhance human productivity and improve the quality of life. Currently, the world has experienced a huge battery technological breakthrough ranging from those devices that charges via as bacteria and the nanowire electrode which is believed to be effective and can withstand hundreds of thousands of the cycles. It has been established that the technological and commercial advantages of Li-ion will massively favor certain markets where energy storage, lightweight, and portability are considered to be significant factors in the process of selection battery chemistry. The primary objective in the industry is to develop the most effective material that can be used to store a large amount of energy at a higher density while at the same time enhance the safety of the battery. The answer to this breakthrough can be derived from lithium. It has been established that Lithium-metal electrodes have the potential to increase the battery’s storage capacity 10-fold. University of Cambridge researchers designed one of the most effective next-generation lithium-sulphur batteries and were established to have the potential of overcoming one of the major technical challenges that might hinder the commercial development of lithium-sulphur batteries. Lithium-ion batteries comprise of three distinct components: anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Anode and cathode are made of graphite and lithium cobalt oxide. It is worth noting that energy density of this battery is specifically dependent on the electrode‘s crystal structure. Focusing on lithium-sulphur batteries, it has been established that the reaction is significantly different because of the multi-electron transfer mechanism. Therefore, elemental sulfur has the potential to offer higher theoretical capacity and can provide higher energy density. 

Introduction 

Renewable sources of energy in many places have experienced much neglect to niche roles, and this is specifically because they are not affordable, cannot be relied upon for storing the excess energy produced when conditions are ideal. This has thus necessitated the need for next generation batteries that could help solve most of these challenges. This new generation battery can enable emission –free renewable to be produced and grow and further make it possible to bring a reliable energy and electricity to the entire global population (Zhamu et al, 2012). There has been the emergence of new types of batteries that have the potential of delivering high capacity that might serve the entire factories, towns, and “mini-grids” that connect the majority of the highly isolated rural communities. Most of the new generation batteries are specifically based on zinc, sodium and even aluminum. These companies tend to avoid heavy metals and caustic chemicals that are currently used in the lead-acid battery chemistries. The majority of these batteries are scalable and highly affordable also they are safer compared to lithium battery used in electric cars (Armand & Tarascon, 2008). 

Newer technology is thus suited to enhance the transmissions systems which currently rely on solar or even wind power. For instance, the government of Indonesia came into agreement with Fluidic Energy for them to deploy approximately 35 megawatts of solar panel capacity to about 500 remote villages and this led to electrifying of about 1.7 million people. This system used Fluidic’s zinc-air batteries and was able to store about 250 megawatts per hour of energy generating reliable electricity (Aifantis, Hackney & Kumar, 2010). The new generation batteries are promising for all the rich economies who are trying to eliminate carbon emission from the generation of energy. The new generation batteries will offer a permanent solution to the energy production and storage crisis. 

Research on the Development of Next Generation Battery 

A research that was conducted at the University of Cambridge focused on the biology to cells lining the human intestine for inspiration to design effective next generation batteries. This is considered one of the huge steps forwards focusing on lithium-sulphur batteries (Midas Letter, 2016). However, it might take a longer time for this technological innovation to be commercially available. “Lithium-sulphur battery technology has a lot of potential – it could provide as much as five times the energy density of lithium-ion solutions used today” (Wood, 2016). Certain features have been identified which make lithium-sulphur battery technology appealing. Lithium-ion battery comprises of negative electrode that is made of graphite and a positive electrode made of lithium cobalt oxide with an electrolyte placed in between them. This battery will comprise of smaller, lighter and cheaper components compared to what is used in lithium-ion batteries. It has been shown that this prototype technology can lead to an effective alternative that will be cost effective and generate energy density. 

In addition to this, Australia’s Swinburne University successfully developed an instant charging graphene battery that is also one of the most effective next generation batteries. It was established that the battery has the potential; to last almost forever providing a permanent and reliable solution to the challenges of energy production ad production. Studies have further pointed out that instant charging graphene battery tends to charge faster compared to the currently existing batteries as a result of graphene. Within seconds, this battery can be charged approximately 100 percent was hence saving time and energy (Armand & Tarascon, 2008). 

Another new research established that lithium-rich cathode was most effective in the development of higher capacity batteries. The better lithium-ion battery has been shown to be possible with lithium rich cathode where the cathode will comprise of a higher lithium proportion that what is currently used. This the next generation battery with a higher energy density that will help solve the current challenges associated with energy production and storage (Aifantis, Hackney & Kumar, 2010). Department of Energy researchers have shown that oxygen oxidation often creates an extra capacity when using this cathode. Therefore, it opens the door to an effective next generation battery that has a higher level of energy density. Using this battery, a phone, and the electric vehicle will be able to run for a very long time between charges. More research has been focused on creating a highly efficient next-generation cathode material that will have a high energy density than the current cathode material (Armand & Tarascon, 2008). 

Analysis 

Numerous new generation battery chemistries have entered transportation and grid-tied stationary energy storage markets across the globe, and this has been experienced in North America and Asia Pacific. The next-generation advanced battery chemistries production currently comprises of “lithium-sulfur (Li-S), lithium solid-state (Li-SS), the next-generation flow, in addition to the liquid metal battery” (Shukla & Kumar, 2008). These four types of new generation advanced batteries have been established to near the readiness for the electrified vehicle and the global energy storage markets. 

Li-ion has intensively been used as the primary chemistry for the transportation and the grid-tied energy storage application that demand the next generation batteries. Li-ion has the absolute limitation that includes those related to energy density, cost and even safety. As stated by Wood (2016), “with smaller, lighter and cheaper components than lithium-ion batteries, the prototype tech could lead to alternatives that are not only more cost-effective, but that can also pack in significantly more energy density.” As a result of these identified challenges, Li-SS, the next generation flow in addition to Li-S have been argued to be highly potential and will rapidly encroach the Li-ion market share (Midas Letter, 2016). This is because these new generations energies are considered as highly flexible battery chemistry within the transportation in addition to the sectors of stationary energy storage. Next-generation advanced batteries have the potential to exceed the current Li-ion safety expectation and will be available at lower prices. Research by Navigant established that next-generation advanced batteries would generate energy capacity of about 30.2 MWh in the year 2019 to approximately 6.5 GWh in the year 2025. 

According to Aravindan et al., (2013), Li-ion battery has the potential to meet the motive transportation energy demand in the next decade. Most of the batteries used for grid-tied stationary energy storage have been established to be Li-ion, Lead-acid and sodium sulfur (NaS) batteries. Most of the reports have established that lithium solid-state (Li-SS) will be the first ever new battery chemistry within the transportation sector. In addition to this, advanced flow batteries will also be the first new technology within the stationary energy storage sector. 

Taking a look at the current conventional lithium-ion battery, a lithium-transition metal oxide is commonly used as the primary cathode material. Focusing on the lithium rich cathode, lithium takes the most proportion than the transition metal. Studies have shown that transition metals are massive and expensive; therefore, it is highly beneficial to reduce its content. Therefore, this type of next generation battery will be cheap and lighter which companies of most important features for the vehicle application since a battery is one of the heaviest components in most vehicles. 

Studies have pointed out this is one the most promising direction to be pursued globally. Most companies have seen the need to adopt lithium-excess cathode material in the manufacturing of next generation battery since it has the potential to deliver a higher energy density. It has been established that these batteries can provide approximately 50 percent energy density higher compared to the currently used cathode materials in the currently commercial lithium batteries. One of the main challenges identified by scientists is the lack of a clear understanding of the lithium-rich cathode chemistry and more specifically on the primary role of oxygen (Aravindan et al., 2013). 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, it has been established that great progress has been made in the commercially available lithium sulfur (Li-S), lithium solid-state (Li-SS), the next-generation flow and the liquid metal battery. Further, various new advanced battery chemistries have been projected to become highly commercialized in the future. The demand in the motive transportation energy storage has further been established to be met by the available Li-ion in the next to compete. From the analysis above, Lithium solid-state (Li-SS) has been established to be one of the first new battery chemistry within the transportation sector, and the advanced flow battery will be the first ever new technology within the stationary energy storage sector. This implies that all those companies partnering with Li-ion battery technology and energy companies will be in a position to enjoy a higher strategic advantage. Lithium ion has reached its maturity, and it has been predicted that more improvement in its performance will result in the development of new-generation battery. Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) has also been established to be highly potential and can generate more benefits that lithium ion chemistries since they can store higher capacity without resulting into any form of safety issues. Further, lithium-Sulfur cells have been established to be lighter, safer and further have a higher maintenance-free. 

References 

Shukla, A. K., & Kumar, T. P. (2008). Materials for next-generation lithium batteries. CURRENT SCIENCE-BANGALORE-, 94(3), 314. 

Aifantis, K. E., Hackney, S. A., & Kumar, R. V. (Eds.). (2010). High energy density lithium batteries: materials, engineering, applications. John Wiley & Sons. 

Aravindan, V., Gnanaraj, J., Lee, Y. S., & Madhavi, S. (2013). LiMnPO 4–A next generation cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 1(11), 3518- 3539. 

Armand, M., & Tarascon, J. M. (2008). Building better batteries. Nature, 451(7179), 652-657. 

Zhamu, A., Chen, G., Liu, C., Neff, D., Fang, Q., Yu, Z., ... & Jang, B. Z. (2012). Reviving rechargeable lithium metal batteries: enabling next-generation high-energy and high- power cells. Energy & Environmental Science, 5(2), 5701-5707. 

Midas Letter (2016). Next generation battery technology. Goodbye, lithium?. Financial Post. Retrieved from:http://business.financialpost.com/midas-letter/next-generation-battery- technology- goodbye-lithium 

Wood, C., (2016). Next-gen batteries inspired by the human intestine. Retrievedfrom: http://newatlas.com/villi-lithium-sulphur-battery/46164/