STORAGE Battery technology primed for diversification

BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

Primed for Diversification

To date, lithium-ion batteries have been the go-to technology for vehicle electrification and new stationary energy storage systems. However, the supply chain for lithium-ion production is under scrutiny.

BY IDTechEx RESEARCH*

Though sodium-ion may be suitable for the electric vehicle (EV) market, the deployment of alternative battery chemistries will be particularly prominent outside the EV and battery electric car segments. Therefore, IDTechEx forecasts the market for non-lithium battery chemistries in stationary storage to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61% between 2022 and 2032.

Over the past five to six years, lithium-ion (Li-ion) has been the dominant (non-pumped hydro) storage technology for longer-duration energy storage. Cheaper systems are required to provide storage economically without needing to access shorterduration, higher-value revenue streams, such as from frequency regulation or peak shaving. This has led to the development of battery chemistries using zinc, sodium and iron as well as flow battery designs that are more easily scaled.

By 2025, IDTechEx predicts that non-lithium chemistries [including sodium-sulphur, redox flow batteries (RFB), secondary zinc-based (Zn-based) chemistries and sodium-ion (Na-ion)] to

IDTechEx

n Li-ion n Non-lithium battery

Share of stationary battery storage deployment (by GWh) in 2025. account for over 10% of the stationary storage market by GWh (excluding pumped-hydro).

However, it is not only alternatives to lithium that will see a diversification of technology, but Li-ion technology itself. At the anode, developments to silicon and lithium-metal could finally shift demand away from graphite.

Difficulties in maintaining longevity are being overcome and the promise of noteworthy improvements to energy density has spurred interest in using these materials as Li-ion anodes. This is evident when looking at the large number of start-ups working on the commercialising of silicon and lithium-metal technology (often in conjunction with solid-state electrolytes).

It is estimated that demand for silicon anode material will grow at a CAGR of 45.2% from 2022 to 2032.

While anode development is largely driven by performance and energy density; cost and supply risk mitigation play a key role in motivating cathode development. The desire to shift away from cobalt, and even nickel, stems from anticipated supply bottlenecks to these critical materials. Lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) is therefore expected to recapture market share and expand into new territories, while the commercialisation of lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) and lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) will further diversify the materials used in Li-ion cells.

Beyond materials and metal percentages, companies such as Nano One and 6K Energy are developing cathode synthesis processes that will help improve throughput and reduce energy consumption and waste – areas that will be critical in continuing the cost decline of Li-ion and in optimising their environmental credentials.

* Report by Dr Alex Holland, senior technology analyst, IDTechEx

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Under-represented due to significant involvement from materials companies, battery manufacturers and OEMs not included in data

0 Silicon-anode Solid-state Li-metal

Number of start-ups in battery material technology. Li-ion-activeLi-ion design/Inactive Li-S Na-ion RFB Zn-based