Towards the ion age

Energy storage technology and its continuing evolution will enable significant improvements in many critical areas of life. Better energy storage solutions will aid our shift to renewable energy and help combat climate change, allow for further miniaturisation of electronic devices and the proliferation of the Internet of Things and edge sensor networks, and power wearable clothing and augmented technology that follows us everywhere we go. Batteries are a critical component of the world of energy storage solutions and a wide range of devices from mobile electronics to electric vehicles (EVs).

In the near future, we will see high-performance batteries with optimised chemistries for specific applications ranging from EVs to grid storage

The search for a better battery

The importance of batteries is highlighted by the intense research and development currently ongoing across the world to develop new or improved battery chemistries, components and technologies. During the next 50 years, it will be the applications and products that will drive battery adoption and determine which battery technologies and chemistries will win in the marketplace. Such applications have specific requirements, such as energy density (how much energy can be stored), power density (how quickly it can be accessed), lifetime (performance across the lifetime of the battery), cost and many others.

For some applications – especially those targeted for individual consumers such as mobile devices and EVs – cost is one of the key factors that will decide which battery chemistries will end up in which devices and how the overall market will evolve. Concerns over toxicity and other dangers are also influencing which of these technologies are being selected. Finally, new chemistries are being unlocked thanks to nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.

In the near future, we expect to see high-performance batteries with optimised chemistries for specific applications ranging from EVs to grid storage. With new approaches such as nanotechnology and carbon coating, future battery techs will see improvements to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries by incorporating and optimising the content and nanoarchitecture of other materials like silicon, which can help increase energy density and maintain battery performance.

Tomorrow’s technology

Emerging battery technologies that could play a pivotal role in reducing the cost of energy storage and creating new opportunities in the energy sector include:

Solid-state batteries

Solid-state batteries are seen as an important part of the futuristic battery landscape by many experts. In contrast to most batteries used today, solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes to regulate the flow of the current, which has the potential to increase energy density, capacity, lifespan and safety. Despite so many advantages, these batteries have a higher charging time. New research approaches to improve solid-state batteries include designing the battery components from phosphate compounds to enable higher charging rates, as well as developing a ceramic solid-state electrolyte that could enable Li-ion batteries with twice the energy performance.

Aluminium-ion batteries could reach the market within the next 10-15 years

The progress in solid-state batteries could significantly enhance the performance of EVs, as well as medical devices, aircraft and satellites through increased run time, improved safety and lower cost.

Sulphur-based chemistries

Sulphur is a low-cost additive that can be combined with other materials such as lithium and sodium to create high-energy density batteries. Li-sulphur batteries have a high storage capacity. However, they have lifecycle issues and a higher discharge rate. Sodium-sulphur batteries hold great promise. Extensive research is focused on the development of low-cost room-temperature sodium-sulphur battery systems for widespread, large-scale applications, including renewable grids with enhanced safety. With continued advancements, they could soon become suitable for renewable-grid scale installations capable of delivering steady baseload electricity and next-generation storage technologies.

Air-based chemistries

Research on metal-air batteries has gained momentum in recent years for high-energy storage in electric transportation. They are synthesised by combining a metal anode, an air-breathing cathode that allows continuous oxygen supply from the surrounding air and an electrolyte solution. The chemistry behind Li-air batteries is so challenging that researchers have shifted focus to sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron-air batteries. Though still early in the stage, the metal-air chemistries have higher energy density than Li-air and a faster charging rate. With extensive research, industrial feasibility of the manufacturing process, low cost, low weight, precise architectural design and excellent electrochemical performance, thesebatteries could push forward battery innovation for large-scale energy storage in the next 50 years.

Non lithium-based battery chemistries

There is a shift today to move away from lithium-based chemistries due to its high cost, raw material supply issues and technical limitations that can limit the lifetime of the battery. Aluminium, sodium, magnesium and potassium-based battery chemistries could provide a big boost for large-scale energy storage, including solar power for industrial applications, in the next 50 years.

Aluminium-ion batteries

Due to the widespread availability, low cost and abundance of aluminium, it is being investigated as a potential replacement for lithium. Compared to a single ion released by lithium, aluminium, when used as an anode, releases three electrons. These batteries, however, still lack ideal current collectors that can work with the electrolyte solution. Further, the electrolyte fluid is very corrosive, which makes the conductive parts very vulnerable to damage. These batteries are still far away from commercialisation; but with continued research advances, aluminium-ion batteries could reach the market within the next 10 to 15 years.

The surge to generate cleaner energy has pushed innovations in battery design

Magnesium batteries

Magnesium batteries have great potential to replace Li-ion batteries as they provide double the energy and have a lower risk of overheating and double the energy. However, recharging the battery is difficult. Ongoing research efforts are currently focusing on mitigating this limitation. Within the next five years, magnesium-based batteries could reach their full potential and be ready for widespread roll-out.

Battery storage at a glance

Metal-air batteries could push forward battery innovation for large-scale energy storage in the next 50 years

Solid-state batteries could significantly enhance the performance of EVs, medical devices, aircraft and satellites through increased run time, improved safety and lower cost

Aluminium-ion batteries could reach the market within the next 10–15 years

Sulphur-based batteries could soon become suitable for renewable-grid scale installations Magnesium batteries have great potential to replace lithium-ion batteries as they provide double the energy 

Proton batteries will be commercially available within 5–10 years

Proton batteries

The surge to generate cleaner energy with zero emissions has pushed innovations in battery design. The viability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells in the transportation sector remains a challenge due to the high cost of production, transportation and storage of hydrogen gas. In a major advancement for efficient hydrogen-powered energy production, researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, reported the technical feasibility of a proton battery for the first time. Aside from using small amounts of platinum as a catalyst, the raw materials for the proton battery are cheap and abundant. It holds promise as a contender to the current Li-ion batteries.

Charging ahead

All the battery technologies discussed here offer a promising start to realising their real potential in large-scale energy storage and transport. This is not an exhaustive list of future technologies, but rather a snapshot of how research is actively working to improve these technologies for important applications. With more research and industrial investments, the performance of batteries will continue to improve, with reduced costs and scale-up of manufacturing.

By Sofiane Boukhalfa, Senior Project Architect, and Navneeta Kaul, Technology Consultant, PreScouter

Image credit | iStock