Perspective for the Reversible Chemical Storage of Electrical Energy in Zinc-Based Batteries

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Recording of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 23:40 .

Expert Advocates for Transition from Lithium-Ion to Zinc-Based Batteries in Stationary Storage Systems Due to Cost and Material Constraints

The speaker addresses the need for a shift from lithium-ion based technologies to zinc-based batteries within the stationary storage community. They argue that there are limited alternatives and outline several reasons supporting this transition. The speaker, an electrochemist affiliated with a research institute in Ulm and Stuttgart (ZSW), emphasizes their extensive experience in energy-related technologies like wind energy, photovoltaics, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery manufacturing. They highlight cost constraints associated with off-grid systems which require users to make compromises on system needs due to limits on available power. In contrast, grid-connected systems often prioritize demand over supply irrespective of cost efficiency. Moreover, they discuss the significant infrastructure needed for extracting materials required for battery production and processing them into functional components. This includes considerations of mass availability and cost-efficiency metrics such as Euros per kilowatt-hour per cycle. Specifically addressing Europe's goals regarding electric vehicles by 2035—aiming for high production targets amidst existing capacity limitations—they showcase current dependence on Asian suppliers highlighting an urgent need for expanded local manufacturing capabilities to meet future demands sustainably.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

Dr. Sylvain Brimaud
Scientist and Team Leader
ZSW (Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research)
Germany

While solar modules are getting cheaper, storage is the key factor that determines the cost of the system. Besides new battery technologies, other forms of storage are available.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Peter Adelmann
Director
id-eee Institute
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Julius Bäurle
Electrical Engineer in System Development
Institute for Decentralized Electrification, Entrepreneurship & Education GmbH & Co. KG
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

David Gögelein
PhD Student
Technical University of Ulm
Germany

To Talk

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Off-grid solar systems are often the least expensive option for rural electrification. Solar home systems can power individual households, while mini-grids can supply entire villages. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The aim of this session is to explore challenges as well as success stories. It takes well-functioning components such as battery systems, charge management and inverters to make projects successful. Proper system sizing, maintenance and repair management, as well as a robust financial concept are also necessary. If one of these elements is missing, the electrification will not be sustainable. This session will focus on the aspects mentioned above. The speakers will present successful and unsuccessful approaches and discuss what can be learned from them.

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