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To realize the universal goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the world is keenly looking at advancements in battery technology. Lower costs, higher capacity, and optimal utilization of scarce natural resources are expected to play a major role in taking the mission forward.
Helping to realize the goal, a group of researchers at the University of Sydney has come up with a sodium-sulfur battery with a significantly higher capacity than lithium-ion cells. The battery also costs considerably less to manufacture.
Their findings were published in Advanced Materials.
After a series of downward revisions in the average price of lithium-ion batteries over the decade, rising raw material costs and inflation resulted in a seven percent increase in 2022 to reach $151/kWh.
“Our sodium battery has the potential to dramatically reduce costs while providing four times as much storage capacity. This is a significant breakthrough for renewable energy development which, although reduces costs in the long term, has had several financial barriers to entry,” said Dr. Zhao in a release.
To realize the universal goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the world is keenly looking at advancements in battery technology. Lower costs, higher capacity, and optimal utilization of scarce natural resources are expected to play a major role in taking the mission forward.
Helping to realize the goal, a group of researchers at the University of Sydney has come up with a sodium-sulfur battery with a significantly higher capacity than lithium-ion cells. The battery also costs considerably less to manufacture.
Their findings were published in Advanced Materials.
The need for alternatives
The team led by Dr. Shenlong Zhao from the University’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering made use of a molten salt mixture of the constituent materials processed from seawater, which considerably reduces the cost.After a series of downward revisions in the average price of lithium-ion batteries over the decade, rising raw material costs and inflation resulted in a seven percent increase in 2022 to reach $151/kWh.
“Our sodium battery has the potential to dramatically reduce costs while providing four times as much storage capacity. This is a significant breakthrough for renewable energy development which, although reduces costs in the long term, has had several financial barriers to entry,” said Dr. Zhao in a release.
