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Future-Proof Battery Technologies
Energy Business Review | Thursday, November 03, 2022
Battery is a pack of one or more cells, each of which has a positive electrode (the cathode), a negative electrode (the anode), a separator, and an electrolyte.
Fremont, CA: A battery is a pack of one or more cells, each of which has a positive electrode (the cathode), a negative electrode (the anode), a separator, and an electrolyte. Different chemicals and materials for these impact the properties of the battery – how much energy it can save and output, how much power it can offer, or the number of times it can be discharged and recharged (also named cycling capacity).
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Battery companies are constantly experimenting to find cheaper, denser, lighter, and more powerful chemistries. We spoke to Patrick Bernard - Saft Research Director, who explained three new battery technologies with transformative potential.
New-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries provide energy storage and release by moving lithium ions from the positive to the negative electrode back and forth via the electrolyte. In this technology, the positive electrode acts as the initial lithium source, and the negative electrode as the host for lithium.
Several chemistries are gathered under the name of Li-ion batteries as the result of decades of selection and optimization close to perfection of positive and negative active materials. Lithiated metal oxides or phosphates are commonly used as positive material. Conversely, graphite, but also graphite/silicon, or lithiated titanium oxides are utilized as negative materials.
With actual materials and cell designs, li-ion technology is anticipated to reach an energy limit in the coming years. Nevertheless, recent discoveries of new families of disruptive active materials should unlock present limits.
These innovative compounds can save more lithium in positive and negative electrodes, allowing for the first time to combine energy and power. In addition, with these new compounds, the scarcity and criticality of
With state-of-the-art storage technologies, li-ion battery technology enables the highest energy density. In addition, performances such as fast charge or temperature operating windows (-50°C till 125°C) can be fine-tuned by the wide choice of cell design and chemistries.
Furthermore, Li-ion batteries display additional advantages such as low self-discharge and long lifetime cycling performances, typically thousands of charging/discharging cycles.
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
In Li-ion batteries, the lithium ions are stored in active materials acting as stable host structures during charge and discharge. In lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, there are no host structures. Instead, the lithium anode is consumed while discharging, and sulfur is transformed into various chemical compounds; the reverse process occurs during charging.
Advantages:
A Li-S battery uses very light active materials: sulfur in the positive electrode and metallic lithium as the negative electrode. As a result, its theoretical energy density is extraordinarily high: four times greater than lithium-ion. That makes it a good fit for the aviation and space industries.
Saft has selected and favored the most promising Li-S technology based on solid-state electrolytes. This technical path brings very high energy density and long life and overcomes the main drawbacks of the liquid-based Li-S (limited life, high self-discharge).
Furthermore, this technology is supplementary to solid-state lithium-ion thanks to its superior gravimetric energy density (+30% at stake in Wh/kg).
Solid State Batteries
Solid-state batteries represent a paradigm shift in terms of technology. In modern li-ion batteries, ions move from one electrode to another across the liquid electrolyte (also called ionic conductivity). In all-solid-state batteries, the liquid electrolyte is replaced by a solid compound that allows lithium ions to migrate.
This concept is far from new, but thanks to intensive worldwide research over the past ten years, new families of solid electrolytes have been discovered with very high ionic conductivity, similar to the liquid electrolyte, allowing this particular technological barrier to be overcome.
Advantages:
The first huge advantage is a marked improvement in safety at cell and battery levels: solid electrolytes are non-flammable when heated, unlike their liquid counterparts. Second, it permits using innovative, high-voltage high-capacity materials, enabling denser, lighter batteries with better shelf-life due to reduced self-discharge. Moreover, at the system level, it will bring additional advantages such as simplified mechanics and thermal and safety management.
As the batteries can exhibit a high power-to-weight ratio, they may be ideal for use in electric vehicles.
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The storage tank market is experiencing significant growth and innovation due to the growing demand for reliable, efficient storage solutions in various industries.
The global storage tank market is growing with increased demand for strong solutions across industries. This is mainly due to technological advancements, changes in industry requirements, and a growing focus on safety and sustainability.
The market for storage tanks is at a crossroads, with tremendous room for expansion and many creative alternatives. The demand for dependable and practical storage solutions will continue to drive the industry and change the storage infrastructure landscape as industries worldwide grow and change.
Market Growth and Drivers
The storage tank market, estimated to be worth USD 26 billion in 2023, is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 5.1% from 2024 to 2032. The primary cause of this expansion is the increasing need for oil and gas storage, fueled by increased exploration efforts and production levels. By 2028, the demand for oil alone is predicted to rise by 6% to 105.7 million barrels per day.
Technological Innovations
The market benefits from introducing innovative materials and construction techniques that enhance storage tanks' durability and safety standards. Remote monitoring capabilities are becoming increasingly prevalent, allowing operators to manage and monitor storage tank facilities from a distance.
Challenges and Opportunities
The market for storage tanks is expected to grow. However, there are still obstacles to overcome, including high upfront costs and a changing regulatory environment with changing safety and environmental regulations. Notwithstanding, these obstacles also offer prospects for expansion and novelty as enterprises endeavor to manage the financial feasibility of ventures and conform to evolving statutes.
Industry Applications
The expansion of the oil and gas, food and beverage, and power industries drives the global storage tank market. The need for more efficient solutions, particularly in exploring shale gas and tight oil fields, prompts the demand for storage tanks. The growing focus on water conservation and wastewater treatment also contributes to the market expansionists.
Sustainability and Environmental Considerations
Sustainability is starting to matter in the storage tank business. Businesses are looking into eco-friendly materials and designs to reduce their carbon footprints, which are connected with storage solutions since there is a growing emphasis on minimizing environmental effects.
Future Outlook
The storage tank market is set to continue its growth trajectory with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance, and technological innovation. Integrating advanced materials, intelligent monitoring systems, and sustainable practices will likely shape the future of storage solutions, ensuring that they meet the ever-growing demands of various industries.
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The construction, maintenance, and operation of storage tanks create jobs and stimulate local economies.
Storage tanks play a crucial role in energy infrastructure, ensuring the efficient and reliable supply of energy resources such as crude oil, refined petroleum products, and natural gas liquids. They manage supply and demand to support economic stability and maintain and enhance global energy systems. Their multifaceted role in maintaining and improving energy systems identifies their importance for maintaining and strengthening global energy systems.
Storage tanks allow their release during peak consumption times, stabilizing supply and mitigating the risk of shortages. They are critical components in the refining and processing of hydrocarbons. In refineries, tanks store raw materials like crude oil before processing. Post-refinement, they hold finished products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Intermediate storage is crucial for the smooth operation of refineries, allowing for the continuous and efficient processing of crude oil into various end products. The ability to store intermediate and final products ensures operational flexibility and efficiency.
The global trade of energy resources heavily relies on storage tanks. These tanks serve as temporary holding facilities for oil and gas at ports and terminals, facilitating the transfer of energy resources between production sites, transportation vessels, and distribution networks. Storage tanks at strategic locations, like pipeline hubs and shipping ports, enable the efficient movement of energy resources across regions and countries. The logistical support is vital for maintaining energy flow in international trade. Storage tanks' economic impact extends beyond energy stability.
Energy security is a significant concern for nations worldwide, and storage tanks are crucial in enhancing it. Many countries maintain strategic petroleum reserves, consisting of large storage tanks filled with crude oil, to safeguard against supply disruptions. The reserves can be tapped in emergencies, like geopolitical conflicts or natural disasters, ensuring a continuous energy supply. Storage tanks buffer against external shocks and contribute to national energy security and economic stability. Storage tanks are becoming increasingly important in the renewable energy sector. Tanks store biofuels produced from organic materials as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Large-scale energy storage solutions, like hydrogen storage tanks, are being developed to support integrating renewable energy into the grid. Modern storage tanks are designed with advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact and enhance safety. Double-walled tanks, leak detection systems, and secondary containment measures are implemented to prevent spills and contamination. Vapor recovery systems capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, reducing air pollution. The innovations ensure that storage tanks operate safely and sustainably, protecting the environment and surrounding communities.
Industries reliant on a stable energy supply, like manufacturing and transportation, benefit directly from the reliable performance of storage tanks. Storage tanks are indispensable to the energy infrastructure, providing critical support for energy storage, supply management, refining, trade, and security. Their role in integrating renewable energy and maintaining environmental safety underscores their importance in the evolving energy landscape. The significance of storage tanks in ensuring a stable, efficient, and secure energy supply becomes ever more apparent. Investing in advanced storage solutions will sustain and enhance energy systems worldwide.
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The tanks enhance energy system flexibility and reliability and contribute to the transition to a resilient energy future.
Thermal storage tanks are essential to global energy systems, addressing the imbalance between energy supply and demand. They store surplus thermal energy at low demand or times of high renewable energy generation, which would otherwise go to waste and not be used efficiently to tackle the issue of intermittency. They can be primarily used in conjunction with concentrated solar power plants.
Solar radiation is intermittent, varying throughout the day, and affected by weather conditions. Thermal storage tanks enable CSP plants to store excess heat generated during high solar irradiance periods and utilize it later to generate electricity during periods of low or no sunlight, providing a more reliable and dispatchable renewable energy source. Thermal storage tanks can enhance the efficiency of conventional power plants by enabling them to operate more flexibly. Another promising application of thermal storage tanks is the electrification of heating and cooling systems.
Thermal storage tanks can be integrated into district heating and cooling systems, where they store excess heat or cold generated by combined heat and power (CHP) plants, industrial processes, or waste heat recovery systems. During periods of low demand, such as at night or in mild weather, excess thermal energy can be stored in these tanks and later used to meet peak demand or provide heating or cooling when the primary energy source is unavailable or insufficient. These plants can operate at their optimal efficiency levels for longer durations, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Thermal storage tanks offer a versatile and efficient solution to the energy sector's challenges, including integrating renewable energy sources, electrifying heating and cooling systems, and optimizing conventional power plants. In conventional power plants, such as those fueled by natural gas or coal, ramping up and down to match fluctuating demand can be inefficient and costly. As countries strive to decarbonize their energy sectors, there is increasing interest in electrifying heating and cooling processes currently reliant on fossil fuels. The intermittency of renewable electricity sources poses a challenge for reliably meeting heating and cooling demand.
Thermal storage tanks can store excess electricity and use it to provide heating or cooling when needed, increasing the efficiency and reliability of electrified heating and cooling systems. In addition to improving energy system efficiency and reliability, thermal storage tanks can provide grid services such as peak shaving, load leveling, and frequency regulation. By strategically discharging stored thermal energy during periods of peak demand or grid instability, these tanks can alleviate stress on the grid and help integrate higher levels of renewable energy.
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The energy sector has always relied on conventional business models where utility companies generate, distribute, and sell electricity to consumers. However, the rise of renewable energy sources, smart grid technologies, and consumer demand for sustainability have initiated a paradigm shift. Among the innovative solutions reshaping this landscape is Energy as a Service (EaaS), an emerging business model transforming how energy is delivered, consumed, and managed.
EaaS is remodeling the energy sector by offering comprehensive solutions beyond traditional utility models. At its core, EaaS encompasses several key components. Energy supply management allows providers to source energy from various channels, including renewable sources such as solar, wind, and biomass, enabling clients to procure green energy without direct investments in infrastructure. Energy efficiency and optimization initiatives include real-time energy monitoring, audits, and advanced efficiency technologies that minimize waste while maximizing output. Demand response services help organizations manage peak loads through energy storage systems and smart grid integration, ensuring a dynamic balance between supply and consumption. Sustainability consulting supports businesses in meeting regulatory requirements and consumer expectations by providing expertise in carbon neutrality strategies, clean energy utilization, and sustainability reporting. Additionally, financing and risk management eliminate upfront capital expenditures, as EaaS providers invest in necessary infrastructure and charge customers based on results or service levels, mitigating financial risk.
EaaS fundamentally transforms the utility business model by driving decentralization, enhancing customer-centric services, integrating smart technologies, promoting renewable energy adoption, and diversifying revenue streams. Unlike traditional centralized energy production and distribution, EaaS leverages distributed energy resources (DERs) such as rooftop solar panels, microgrids, and battery storage to reduce reliance on large-scale infrastructure. This decentralization allows for localized energy generation and greater resilience. Utility companies are also shifting from being mere energy suppliers to service providers, offering tailored energy management solutions to meet diverse client needs. Integrating smart technologies—including IoT devices, AI-driven analytics, and predictive maintenance tools—enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and optimizes energy consumption. Moreover, EaaS accelerates renewable energy adoption by enabling businesses and households to access green energy without significant capital expenditures, fostering a more sustainable energy landscape. Lastly, it facilitates revenue diversification for utility providers, moving beyond traditional energy sales toward stable income sources through subscriptions, service fees, and performance-based contracts. Through these advancements, EaaS redefines how energy is produced, managed, and consumed in the modern era.
As digitalization and decentralization continue to reshape the energy sector, the prospects for EaaS are bright. Policymakers are increasingly pushing for renewable energy adoption and efficiency, creating fertile ground for EaaS providers to expand their offerings. Moreover, the rise of EVs and energy storage technologies will drive demand for integrated energy services.
EaaS represents a groundbreaking departure from traditional utility business models. By focusing on tailored energy solutions, supporting sustainability goals, and leveraging technological advancements, EaaS offers providers and customers new ways to thrive in the evolving energy ecosystem. While challenges remain, the potential to create a more efficient, decentralized, and greener energy future makes EaaS a compelling model for future generations.
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