With the increasing population of the world, the energy consumption of the world is continuously increasing. It gives rise to more power for the world and that too, in renewable energy, which is clean and does not harm the environment. In moving technology, the lithium battery has shown a speck of rays by shaping the energy-storage techniques. Lithium batteries have got an edge over competitor batteries in the previous few years and are continuously growing day by day.
So, let us study the top three batteries on which the future of energy storage is dependent.
New Generation Lithium-Ion
In the new generation lithium-ion batteries, the storage or energy, and release are dependent on the lithium ions’ movement from the positive to the negative electrode and vice versa. With the updates in the field, the electrode’s material continuously changes and improved to induce the ion much more efficiently in the battery. The lithiated metal oxide is the most common material used for the positive electrode, and graphite/lithiated titanium oxides are used as the negative material.
The significant advantages of these lithium batteries are that they allow a higher density of energy, which helps them charge faster and control their temperature. Some additional benefits it carries are it discharges very slowly, provides a massive battery backup, and has a longer shelf-life.
These new-generation lithium-ion batteries are considered a perfect choice to use in Solar-storage systems and transportation of energy vi marine or railways. The reason behind it is the high-end security and safety of these batteries.
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
The lithium-sulfur or the Li-S batteries, is built of a very light active material, i.e., sulfur, which is used to develop its positive electrode. The negative electrode is made of metallic sulfur as present in other lithium batteries. The use of sulfur can benefit these batteries with merely four times more energy density than lithium-ion batteries. This battery focuses purely on the aviation and space industries.
The chemical reaction that happens in this battery during the process of charging and discharging is somehow unique. The lithium ions in the battery act as a host whose nature is stable during charging and discharging. There is no particular host structure in the Li-ion batteries. You will only find that while the discharging process, the lithium anode consumes, and the sulfur present in the anode electrode transform into different types of unstable compounds. They reverse back to the form of sulfur when the reverse process of charging happens in the battery.
We can expect to see the Lithium-sulfur lithium batteries in the market very soon as it is about to attain its maturity in the process of development. After completing development and some practical applications, it will be introduced commercially in the market.
Solid-State Lithium Batteries
Solid-state batteries are the reason for forming the swift upward movement of the development graph of lithium batteries. In the batteries’ old versions, we see that the lithium-ion moves in the electrolyte to conduct the charge. In these batteries, a solid metallic structure replaces that electrolyte. It allows the movement of the lithium ions within the spaces present between them. It may sound impossible, but due to technological advancements, such solids are devised, which allows the easy movement of the lithium ions through them.
These lithium batteries are safe as the electrolyte in the batteries is inflammable, which can set the battery on fire amid temperature rise. Also, they have a high power-to-weight ratio, which is considered ideal for electronic vehicles’ better functioning.
Conclusion
It is expected that these lithium batteries will take the storage industry to new heights and will be available for commercial use soon for the benefit of mankind and nature both.