Batteries help reduce emissions, but how do we reduce their emissions?
One way to make batteries cleaner is to make fewer of them.
As the world transitions to renewable energy, the push is on to electrify applications such as vehicles and heating, ensuring that the power for these devices comes from clean sources. However, once the biggest contributors to emissions have been addressed, other areas with lesser potential for reduction require attention. A new study led by Haiwei Zhou from the University of Melbourne delves into the emissions generated during the production of lithium-ion batteries, a key component in many aspects of the energy transition.
While these emissions are not insignificant, they currently constitute only 0.18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers predict that this figure could potentially increase by up to ten times by 2050.
The study highlights the need to minimize the environmental impact of battery manufacturing. One approach involves selecting battery chemistries that utilize elements less energy-intensive to mine and refine. Additionally, optimizing the energy efficiency of the production process itself can contribute to reducing emissions. The most promising avenue, however, appears to be recycling.
By reclaiming valuable materials from spent batteries, manufacturers can bypass the energy-intensive process of mining, making the overall battery lifecycle far less taxing on the environment.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
