Efficient Zinc Batteries Could Replace Lithium Batteries for Energy Storage (energyportal.eu)

Efficient Zinc Batteries Could Replace Lithium Batteries for Energy Storage

ByHoward Rhodes

AUG 5, 2023

Researchers have made a breakthrough in battery technology by developing an efficient zinc battery as an alternative to lithium batteries. While lithium-ion batteries dominate the rechargeable battery market today, they rely on rare metals such as cobalt and nickel, which can be expensive and scarce. As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage increases, finding cheaper battery options without these rare metals becomes crucial.

One promising alternative is the zinc battery. Scientists have been working on improving the efficiency of zinc batteries for a while. In the latest development, Xiulei “David” Ji and his team at Oregon State University have created a new electrolyte formula that significantly reduces unwanted chemical reactions, allowing the zinc battery to release 99.95% of the energy it is charged with on each cycle.

The new electrolyte forms a protective coating on the zinc component of the battery, preventing energy loss and eliminating the generation of dangerous hydrogen gas. This breakthrough not only makes zinc batteries more efficient but also safer than lithium-ion batteries, as the new electrolyte is not flammable.

Zinc is an inexpensive and abundant metal, making zinc batteries a cost-effective and sustainable solution for energy storage. Ji believes that zinc batteries are crucial for the installation of additional solar and wind farms, as well as for home energy storage and communities vulnerable to natural disasters.

Rechargeable zinc batteries are expected to hit the market in the near future, providing a viable alternative to lithium batteries. This development could have significant implications for the energy storage industry and help accelerate the transition toward renewable energy sources.


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