How do lithium-ion batteries contribute to the realization of a sustainable society
By Vishal Gupta
Energy is the fuel to development, and in today’s complex economic infrastructure, almost every developmental activity is based on energy. Though fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas contribute massively to modern society in achieving its socioeconomic goals, their ramifications, such as resource depletion and carbon dioxide emissions, threaten the entire ecosystem. Today, various renewable energy technologies are revolutionising how we consume and store energy, and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are prominent among them. Their wide-scale utilisation in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics effectively reduces dependency on fossil fuels and equips stakeholders with comparatively more environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Lithium-ion batteries in the development of smart cities
The transformation of traditional cities into smart cities is a benchmark of sustainability used by various governments worldwide. Apart from raising the living standards of inhabitants, smart cities also possess some infrastructural features that promote sustainability in society. High energy density, long lifespan, and rapid charging are the chemical characteristics of LIBs that make them ideal for energy support for varied activities and operations in smart cities.
From backing up electric vehicle charging infrastructure to enhancing the efficiency of public transport to balancing and stabilising power grids to boosting energy management systems in smart buildings, LIBs have become the vital needs of smart cities in efficiently running or supporting both public and private infrastructure.
For example, Kashiwanoha City in Japan, which is considered one of the best smart cities in the world due to its smart transport, energy, and environment, runs on an effective power network, integrating renewable energy with lithium-ion battery-based storage solutions. They have successfully used blockchain technology to integrate various resources to meet the urbanisation demands quintessential for the development of sustainable smart cities.
Lifeblood to storage industry
Earlier batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, used to contain cadmium, lead, and mercury. Though these substances are present in nature, they harm living creatures in one way or another. However, LIBs have lithium, carbon, manganese, nickel, and cobalt, which have a low environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable society by facilitating electrification, reducing fossil energy use, and having a low environmental impact.
Despite generating more power than lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a lower energy density but a higher energy density per unit weight with respect to lead-acid batteries’ 25-50 W⋅h/kg. Another significant advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they do not self-discharge. Hence, it results in extending lifespan.
Undoubtedly, there are challenges associated with the disposal of LIBs, as their waste could reach 11 million tons by 2030. Recycling is the most potent and promising solution in this regard. Through battery recycling, stakeholders in this domain can minimise environmental contamination and reduce production costs by recovering high-value raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Recycling for energy revival
The battery recycling process involves collecting, sorting, dismantling, and recovering valuable materials. Common methods used for recycling LIBs include pyrometallurgical, biometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical. Using these cutting-edge recycling techniques, industry players can ensure greater efficiency for batteries, higher material recovery rates, and minimised environmental impact. On the other hand, their proper disposal prevents potential environmental and community harm. Studies claim that using old electric car batteries for energy storage can cover up to 65% of stationary storage needs, and in ten years, it could be cheaper to use old batteries from 30% to 70% compared to new ones.
It is true that lithium-ion battery recycling is only partially free of challenges, such as a lack of standardised infrastructure. However, collaborative efforts between government bodies, industry leaders, and academic institutions drive innovation to improve recycling efficiency, develop safe handling protocols, and establish a robust recycling ecosystem for handling the growing influx of discarded batteries.
The Bottom Line
The demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to increase by leaps and bounds in the future. This changing scenario will create substantial economic opportunities across the entire value chain. The benefits of LIBs will be palpable in domestic as well as commercial activities and advanced recycling technologies will further improve the adoption rate of lithium-ion batteries centered around sustainable development of societies.
(The author is Vishal Gupta, Co- Founder Maxvolt Energy, and the views expressed in this article are his own)
