Energy Storage

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are a revolutionary technology, found in everything from cellphones to cars. But the chemistry behind them is facing a looming challenge. Lithium-ion batteries cannot be recharged indefinitely; the materials in these batteries' electrodes expand and crack with each cycle, gradually decreasing their storage performance until they are useless. The resulting demand for fresh lithium, cobalt and other necessary elements puts a strain on natural resources.

A smart contact lens with a rechargeable supercapacitor power source that can be charged up wirelessly could be used to track a wearer's health, without compromising on comfort.

AllCell Technologies design and manufacture LI-ion battery packs. Their phase change material thermal management technology helps them produce lightweight and long lasting batteries.

24M are developing thick electrode Li-ion cells and low cost manufacturing techniques. Lead engineer, Matt Tyler, presented at the IDTechEx Show USA 2019.

General Motors and LG Chem announced plans to mass-produce battery cells for future battery-electric vehicles. Together, the companies will invest up to a total of $2.3 billion through a new, equally owned joint venture company.

Northvolt and Swedish power provider Mälarenergi are partnering to establish a battery energy storage system at an electric vehicle charging station in Västerås, Sweden.

Supra G are an Australian start-up developing graphene based electrodes for supercapacitors. IDTechEx analyst Alex Holland caught up Supra G CEO, Dr Yufei Wang, and advisor Dr Fred Davis.

Zenlabs are a start-up developing Li-ion batteries which utilise silicon oxides at the anode. They presented their developments at the IDTechEx Show USA 2019.

XING Mobility are a Taiwanese company that focus on the specialty electric vehicle sector with their 3G connected, immersion cooled modular battery packs.

Our use of battery-operated devices and appliances has been increasing steadily, bringing with it the need for safe, efficient, and high-performing power sources. To this end, a type of electrical energy storage device called the supercapacitor has recently begun to be considered as a feasible, and sometimes even better, alternative to conventional widely used energy-storage devices such as Li-ion batteries.

Farad Power Inc took home the Best Technical Development within Energy Storage Award from the recent IDTechEx Show in Santa Clara. Their submission on 'Solid State Sodium Ion Batteries for Grid Energy Storage' caught the attention of the independent group of judges, which included Engie Storage, UL and Enevate.

GBatteries, a start-up based in Canada, presented on their Li-ion battery fast charging solution at the IDTechEx Show USA 2019.

i-DE, Iberdrola's electricity distribution arm, has inaugurated the first electrical energy storage system with lithium-ion batteries for distribution networks in Spain.

Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) are not glamourous but are often an essential component found in all manner of electronic and energy storage applications. Indeed, they are absolutely pervasive. They are truly a diverse technology in terms of suppliers, material options, deposition techniques, applications, market requirement and performance levels. This makes them difficult to analyse.

Scientists have created a new type of membrane that could improve water purification and battery energy storage efforts.

The technology group Wärtsilä will optimise the energy system of the Fekola Mine, located in a remote region in southwest Mali. This is needed to improve the mine's operations, reduce fuel consumption, and lessen the carbon emissions.

CAP-XX announced it will acquire CAP-XX licensee Murata's supercapacitor production lines, relocate them from Japan to a new factory in Sydney to arrive in stages between March and June 2020, and begin producing Murata's three supercapacitor product families in Q3 2020. Murata will also assist in introducing CAP-XX to its customers.

Highlights, discussion and analysis of battery technology innovation from the IDTechEx Show USA 2019

Saft has won an order for three Intensium Max 20 High Energy containers from TuuliWatti, the Finnish wind developer and operator.

Scientists have proven that liquid solvent-free solid state batteries can easily be made, paving the way for a future free from batteries catching fire or exploding if they get too hot.