Off the Californian coast, a 400-ton concrete sphere nine meters in diameter is to be anchored and tested at a depth of 500 to 600 meters in the StEnSea project. It’s a storage system that follows a very simple principle: the storage tank is charged by pumping the sphere empty. When water flows into it, electricity is generated. The prototype has an output of 0.5 megawatts and a capacity of 0.4 megawatt-hours. If everything goes according to plan, the aim is to build concrete spheres with a diameter of 30 meters.Fraunhofer IEE is working on this project with the US start-up Sperra, which specializes in 3D concrete printing for applications in the field of renewable energies. Its second partner is Pleuger Industries, a  German company now headquartered in Miami that is one of the world's leading manufacturers of underwater motor pumps.These three entities have selected a coastal area off Long Beach (near Los Angeles) as their storage site. They plan to put it into operation by the end of 2026 at the latest. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is funding the project with nearly €3.4 million, and the U.S. Department of Energy is contributing around U.S.$4 million.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1744028543086-Prinzip-EN.webp.1280.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />Image: IEE<h2 id="isPasted">Successful field test in Lake Constance</h2>Sperra will manufacture the concrete sphere in Long Beach using a 3D printing process, possibly in combination with traditional concrete construction. An underwater motor pump will be integrated into an opening in the top of the sphere inside of a pipe.When a valve is opened, water will flow through the pipe into the sphere. The integrated pump runs in reverse and works as a turbine. The water drives the motor, generating electricity and discharging the storage. An underwater cable connects to the power grid on land or to a floating transformer station at an offshore wind farm. To store energy, the turbine pumps the water out of the sphere against the pressure of the surrounding water column. The cycle can then begin again. In a field trial with a three-meter sphere in Lake Constance (Germany), Fraunhofer IEE researchers and their partners have already proven the viability of this concept.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1744028570406-HOCHTIEF-Solutions-AG.webp.1280.webp" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" />This is what electricity storage could look like in the future. Animation: Hochtief Solutions AG<h2 id="isPasted">Water depths of 600 to 800 meters are ideal</h2>The capacity and performance of the storage spheres depend primarily on two factors: the volume of the spheres and the water column exerting pressure on them. Fraunhofer IEE experts have calculated that water depths of 600 to 800 meters are ideal from an economic perspective. Here, parameters such as pressure, the required sphere weight, and the necessary wall thickness are in optimal proportion to each other. Moreover, conventional underwater motor pumps can still be used at such depths, and special high-strength concrete is not necessary.StEnSea’s spherical storage is particularly suitable for two business models: for arbitrage (i.e. buying electricity at low prices and selling when the market is high) and for providing ancillary services to stabilize power grids.

3D-printed bentonite sphere in a field test in Lake Constance. Image: IEE, Uwe Krengel

The expansion of renewable energies continues to drive demand for storage options. The Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE) has developed special underwater bentonite spheres that transfer the principle of pumped-storage power plants to the seabed.

How 3D-printed spherical storage systems are helping to advance the energy transition

Wevolver: So we are here at Embedded World together with Axel from our partners at ITEN. Axel, good to see you here. Excited for this interview. Could you maybe give us an introduction about yourself?Axel: It's a pleasure, thank you. My name is Axel Fischer, I'm the Chief Commercial Officer of ITEN. I've been working a very long time in the semiconductor industry. Basically, devices which are consuming energy. Recently, I joined ITEN. We have the mission to bring green energy. So it feels like giving back something to the industry. Wevolver: Awesome. Well, thanks for that introduction of yourself and the company. Could we dive a bit more deeper in talking about ITEN's, technology and how does it set itself apart in this market? Right, like your solid state micro battery technology. Axel: Yes, ITEN, as we say in French or in English, ITEN. We're still a fairly young company. We have been founded 13 years ago. We are French and the mission and the vision of the company has been to introduce a battery which can be used almost over the entire lifetime. Today, we see that coin cells are being thrown away and exchanged on a daily basis with actually 100 million and more per day. So we have developed a technology, solid state, which has very good product markers. Solid state is safe. It cannot burn, it cannot explode, it cannot overheat. We achieve a very high power density and a very high energy density as well. Power and energy. And for those of you who are familiar with batteries, we have a stunning C rate of 100. And this comes in a very ecological format as the batteries are recyclable. And for the microelectronics industry, we can even solder it directly on the board, which is very efficient.Wevolver: Axel, we see in the IoT market that devices continue getting smaller. They keep on integrating more sensors, which makes the power management and power constraints more critical. How does ITEN's technology support this ongoing miniaturization and how does it support energy harvesting solutions?Axel: Excellent point. In general, the microelectronics device market is maniacal about shrinking, making smaller, more performance, lower energy consumption and more efficient power concepts. So we respond perfectly to that concept by bringing out this ultra small battery which perfectly integrates in small form factor into electronic devices.Axel: Second point, as you asked about energy harvesting devices here, I would like to give you a very practical example which we have developed in conjunction with partners energy harvesting taking place by photovoltaic and inside. We have then here as well all and some sensors as well. Put this into your pocket. Wevolver: Will do. Thanks.Wevolver: We've seen ITEN's technology get integrated into various industrial devices, various connected devices. Could you share some of the collaborations and partnerships that you've been working on and how are they moving forward the boundaries in micro battery technology?Axel: Yeah, we are feeling very comfortable and are a strong participant as well in different kind of ecosystems. I would say one ecosystem is in conjunction with partners who are building the other devices, whether it is for connectivity, power management and as well Sensors. The other category is in terms of energy harvesting, where we are a strong partner as well in that ecosystem. Last but not least, we work with customers who provide as well collaboration and partnership which is driving our product availability and roadmap.Wevolver: Axel, on a forward looking note, could you share us some of the innovations that ITEN is working on in pushing forward the boundaries in your sphere and maybe also your views on how do you see the micro battery technology evolve to meet the future demands of AI, of IoT and edge computing?Axel: All right, so today we are demanded partnered by customers in various applications already the strongest demand today is coming from the IoT markets. There's a strong interest as well from healthcare and I would like to mention also about wearable. To satisfy in the different device categories, we have two product families. One is called POWENCY, which is a very capable device to deliver strong power during a short moment. The other device family is called FLOWENCY which has a much longer endurance and is much more capable in that regards. Expect from us more in the future to bring out more devices in each product category of POWENCY and FLOWENCY. Everything is made in house. We have as well the production. We are scaling this accordingly with raising customer demand. Wevolver: That's exciting. Well Axel, thanks for the very nice interview. I wish you and ITEN continued success here at Embedded World and obviously with your future innovations for which we're quite excited about.Axel: Thank you. I hope to see you soon again. Wevolver: Thanks.

Exploring ITEN's Solid State Micro-Battery and Energy Harvesting Technology at Embedded World 2025

ITEN on Their Solid State Micro-Battery And Energy Harvesting Technology at Embedded World 2025

Our interactions with energy are evolving due to several driving trends. The increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has created a demand for a comprehensive charging network. Meanwhile, the surge in information technology has fueled the rapid growth of the data center market, which has a continually growing need for power.Consumers are seeking a more sustainable energy market. New sources of energy are seen as key to tackling climate change. Governments around the world are incentivizing the use of renewable energy, and environmental regulation seeks to enforce these changes. With these new sources comes the challenge of managing how energy is stored and distributed. An energy storage system, often abbreviated as ESS, is a device or group of devices assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time. Battery ESS are the most common type of new installation and use the latest advances in Lithium-Ion technology to provide a means to store energy until needed. In this case study, we examine a small but essential part of the future of energy storage systems - Energy Storage Connectors. <h1>Global Trends and Demand Drivers in the Energy Storage Connector Market</h1>The ESS market was valued at USD 7.8 billion in 2024. Expansion is being driven by new demands across several sectors. The market is predicted to reach USD 25.6 billion before the end of the current decade, a growth of more than 300%, and is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 26.9%.  A prime example of the growing ESS market is China, where the country’s enormous energy demand makes it a key market for ESS manufacturers.  This expansion is further supported by government initiatives, with several provinces setting ambitious goals to integrate energy storage into the grid. ESS also supports the rise of renewable energy production, a growing sector in the Chinese economy. China’s energy capacity from non-fossil fuels surpassed fossil fuel energy for the first time in June 2023, demonstrating the country’s commitment to new energy solutions and further driving the need for ESS.<h1>Adam Tech’s Energy Storage Connector Solutions</h1>Adam Tech has launched its ESF/ESM Series of high-efficiency connectors, designed to meet the needs of the energy storage market. These connectors, available in both orange and black, link battery modules to various energy storage systems, including electric vehicle charging and renewable energy devices. They offer a critical, safe, and reliable connection with a range of mated pairs that support various voltage and current ratings, along with different wire gauges.The series provides current ratings from 90A to 350A and voltage ratings from 1000VDC to 1500VDC. Additionally, these connectors are IP67-rated waterproof when mated, which prevents water and dust ingress. Available termination options cater to BESS installations in confined spaces, enhancing the flexibility and safety of the systems. Dust covers and PA66 material, meeting UL 94V-0 flame retardant standards, add an extra layer of protection. The ESF/ESM family is UL-certified and complies with RoHS and REACH standards.<h2>Adam Tech Storage Connector Solutions Applied Across Industries</h2><h3>Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure</h3>The market for electric vehicles (EVs) is one of the most important for ESS. More than 120 countries have announced legislation intended to limit emissions in the coming decades, with many countries committing to the phasing out of internal combustion engines. However, the public’s confidence in this new technology is driven by range anxiety. Compared to the convenience of the existing fueling infrastructure that has serviced the public for decades, the lack of charging stations is a barrier to the widespread adoption of EVs.Achieving widespread acceptance of EVs will require a massive investment in charging equipment. ESS are essential to this infrastructure, helping to make it a practical alternative to fossil fuels. They serve to create a ready store of energy, enabling the faster charging that the public will require if they are to overcome their range anxiety. There are several key connectivity challenges when installing a robust charging network. By necessity, the equipment required for charging vehicles will be fitted in outdoor locations exposed to the elements. Not only will connectors need to be sealed against the dangers of moisture ingress, but they must also be easy to install and withstand a high number of mating cycles.Connectors also need to be efficient. Fast-charging applications require a higher energy transfer rate, resulting in significant temperature increases. So the connectors that form the electrical network within charging stations must deliver low contact resistance. The ESC series of ESS connectors from Adam Tech use a cage spring design that maximizes contact surface area and reduces contact resistance. The cage spring design effectively prevents poor contact caused by misalignment or vibration, improving system fault tolerance. Even with slight misalignment, the terminals can maintain effective conductivity, enhancing connector stability and reliability under harsh conditions.Adam Tech’s series of connectors also employ a shortened conductor distance to minimize conduction paths. Traditional connectors with long conductor distances often cause excessive temperature rise, impacting system performance. Adam Tech's design controls the conductor distance to within 1.5mm, reducing temperature rise risks from excessively long conduction paths, thereby improving current conduction efficiency and safety.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQyOTA5MTc1OTQyLXAxLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /><h3 id="isPasted">Renewable Energy, Microgeneration and the Smart Grid</h3>Microgeneration refers to the local, small-scale energy production facilities capable of powering individual households or small communities. Known as distributed energy resources (DERs), these facilities typically operate with a capacity of less than 10 megawatts and often utilize technologies like wind and solar to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, the reliability of these localized resources can be challenging, as many depend on unpredictable weather conditions. This necessitates effective energy storage solutions to ensure power is available when needed.To address these challenges, Energy Storage Systems (ESS) play a crucial role in the emerging dynamic power network or smart grid. ESS devices act as a buffer between energy producers and the network, stabilizing the power supply and enhancing flexibility. This allows the system to absorb fluctuations in demand without increasing production. Additionally, ESS connectors, which link energy sources, storage systems, and the grid, are vital for ensuring safety, reliability, and ease of use.Furthermore, the smart grid relies heavily on data flow. Battery management systems and smart monitoring are essential for providing the feedback required to make the smart grid functional. Users of microgeneration systems can not only decrease their dependence on traditional power sources and mitigate disruption risks but can also resell excess energy, creating a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape.Adam Tech's energy storage connectors are specifically engineered to support high current transmission, playing a crucial role in stabilizing energy storage systems. This capability ensures efficient and safe energy management within the smart grid, thereby enhancing the system's overall energy efficiency. Moreover, when paired, these connectors achieve an IP67 waterproof rating, effectively preventing water and dust ingress, which significantly enhances the safety and longevity of the system.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQyOTA5MTg0MTM5LXAyLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /><h3 id="isPasted">Data Centers</h3>Data is the raw material of the future, and every aspect of modern life is using more data than ever before. This surge is driven by high-speed Internet and particularly the widespread introduction of 5G wireless connectivity. To keep up, hardware solutions and power supplies must evolve to efficiently process and store this ever-growing volume of information.The data center sector is rapidly growing and is poised to become a major global energy consumer.  In many large economies today, data centers account for between 2% and 4% of total electricity consumption.  A key requirement for any data center is energy security.  Providers rely on a stable power supply to ensure consistent service and need facilities that can scale quickly with fluctuating demand, while maintaining operations even during power outages. Connectivity is crucial for data center managers, as energy costs represent a significant portion of their operational expenses.  Reliable and efficient connectors are vital not only for keeping these costs under control, but also for enabling the rapid reconfiguration of servers as needed.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zTL5zB3ZnE4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0"></iframe>Data centers involve numerous stakeholders, and quality assurance is key. Adam Tech ESS connectors use PA66 material which meets UL 94V-0 flame retardant standards, enhancing safety. Further, all connectors are UL certified and meet RoHS and REACH standards, ensuring environmental sustainability and safety.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzQyOTA5MTkzMTUzLXAzLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width:100%px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" /><h2 id="isPasted">Conclusion</h2>Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are revolutionizing energy management, driving sustainability and efficiency while enhancing grid reliability. With increasing demands across a range of industries, the need to store and distribute energy grows. Connectors that deliver high current capacity and reliability, even in harsh environments, will be essential for installers and users around the world. Adam Tech’s advanced solutions support this exciting market with dedicated power connectors optimized for delivering power in tough conditions.For more details on Adam Tech's ESF/ESM family of connectors, contact a Powell representative directly at <a target="_blank">adamtechinfo@powell.com</a>, or visit <a href="http://www.powell.com" target="_blank">www.powell.com</a> to shop from distributor stock for next-day shipping.

The rise of EVs and data centers boosts demand for ESS, which manages energy storage and distribution. Adam Tech's ESF/ESM connectors support this shift with high efficiency and reliability.

Energy Storage Connectors: The Future of High-Power Energy Storage Systems (ESS) Management

<section id="isPasted">Collaboration efforts between the Texas A&amp;M University Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering and the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) have led to innovative research on how petroleum coke is processed.This almost $3 million three-year research project will convert petroleum coke to graphite for energy storage. The newer process uses a lower temperature and shorter time to produce graphite from petroleum coke.&nbsp;This new catalytic graphitization technology will decrease the emissions, cost, and processing time associated with conventional synthetic graphite production.&nbsp;The research team includes groups from Associate Department Head Dr. Micah Green, Associate Professor Dr. Faruque Hasan, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory.&nbsp;The project is part of the ARPA-E VISION OPEN program that looks to transform energy in critical areas across the energy spectrum, like nuclear fusion, grid reliability and approaches to developing chemicals and fuels, according to the ARPA-E website. &nbsp;&nbsp;Petroleum coke is produced from crude oil. Petroleum coke can then be turned into graphite through a long, high-temperature process, Green said.&nbsp;Ultimately, this new study looks to develop new technologies to process petroleum coke to graphite where it converts fossil feedstocks into valuable carbon products rather than fuels.“Our grant is about changing the process by using catalysts so we can make petroleum coke into synthetic graphite that's good for applications like batteries and for reducing American reliance on foreign sources of graphite,” Green said.&nbsp;</section><blockquote>We are not only just solving one problem, in a sense this also reduces emissions.<cite>- Dr. Faruque Hasan</cite></blockquote><section>Graphite is valuable for its use in batteries. If converted from petroleum coke, this approach could lead to new sources for components in Li-ion batteries, according to the ARPA-E website.&nbsp;“We are not only just solving one problem, in a sense this also reduces emissions,” Hasan said.Typically, the process involves heating petroleum coke to 3000 °C in a days-long process where the petroleum coke is formed into a powder. It is then mixed with an iron powder and is heat-treated. &nbsp;“My group is very involved in the actual synthesis and developing the catalyst and showing how that process can be scaled up,” Green said. “We have already done some proof-of-concept experiments at the lab scale, but to transition into industry, we need to show that it can be done at a large scale.”&nbsp;Hasan's group plans on analyzing the technology for its impact in terms of reducing cost, life cycle emissions, and greenhouse gases.&nbsp;With new technologies, challenges arise to scale-up due to lack of reliable designs and estimates on their techno-economic viability at different scales, Hansan said. The goal is to bridge this gap.“My group specializes in computational modeling, simulation and optimization of emerging technologies,” Hasan said. “In particular, we will determine optimal process design and operability domains for this exciting new technology developed in Dr. Green’s lab for producing highly value-added chemical products from petroleum coke in a sustainable manner.”&nbsp;Once the scaleup demonstration is successful, an industry partner, Oxbow Carbon, will do pilot-plant runs for the preliminary assessment for large-scale processing.</section>

Research teams are developing a new technology for producing graphite for improved energy storage.

Graphite Production Gets a Makeover

Cost-effective, safe and made from widely available raw materials - the advantages of sodium-ion batteries over today's ubiquitous lithium batteries are obvious. But despite similar electrical properties, lithium and sodium cannot simply be interchanged. Chemical differences between the elements currently still lead to technical challenges, such as the short lifespan of sodium batteries and scaling for large margins. In the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ifam.fraunhofer.de/de/Presse/bmbf-projekt-natrium-ionen-technologie.html" target="_blank" id="isPasted">SIB:DE FORSCHUNG (Sodium-Ion-Battery Germany Research)</a> project , the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and 20 partners from science and industry are pooling their expertise to address remaining obstacles and enable a rapid transfer of sodium technology into industrial mass production.<h2>Active materials and electrodes from KIT</h2>"At KIT, we are working on scalable manufacturing processes for particularly high-performance active materials and are demonstrating production on a kilogram scale," says Professor Helmut Ehrenberg from the KIT's Institute of Applied Materials (IAM). "Being able to produce these cost-effectively and scalably is a crucial step for an industrial roll-out of sodium ion technology." Researchers at the Helmholtz Institute Ulm are also working on electrodes that they are optimizing for long-lasting battery performance. The results are then analyzed and tested in the BELLA (Battery and Electrochemistry Laboratory) research laboratory operated jointly by KIT and BASF.<hr><h3>About SIB:DE FORSCHUNG</h3>In total, SIB:DE FORSCHUNG consists of 7 industrial partners and 14 academic partners as well as an expanded circle of currently 42 associated partners, making it the largest consortium in Germany on this topic. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the research with 14 million euros. KIT is the largest grant recipient with around 3.8 million euros, which is distributed between IAM, BELLA and the HIU. BASF coordinates SIB:DE FORSCHUNG.

KIT researchers are working on scalable manufacturing processes for the active materials in sodium-ion batteries. Credit: Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT

KIT researchers are working together with partners on the industrial transfer of the pioneering sodium technology

Sodium-ion batteries on the way to application

Recycling lithium-ion batteries to recover their critical metals has significantly lower environmental impacts than mining virgin metals, according to a new Stanford University lifecycle analysis <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56063-x" data-extlink="">published in Nature Communications</a>. On a large scale, recycling could also help relieve the long-term supply insecurity – physically and geopolitically – of critical battery minerals.Lithium-ion battery recyclers source materials from two main streams: defective scrap material from battery manufacturers, and so-called “dead” batteries, mostly collected from workplaces. The recycling process extracts lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and aluminum from these sources.The study quantified the environmental footprint of this recycling process, and found it emits less than half the greenhouse gases (GHGs) of conventional mining and refinement of these metals and uses about one-fourth of the water and energy of mining new metals. The environmental benefits are even greater for the scrap stream, which comprised about 90% of the recycled supply studied, coming in at: 19% of the GHG emissions of mining and processing, 12% of the water use, and 11% of the energy use. While it was not specifically measured, reduced energy use also correlates with less air pollutants like soot and sulfur.“Recently, I was in an Uber electric vehicle. The driver asked me if EVs really are ‘good’ for the environment because he recently had read that maybe they aren’t. All he knew was that I was faculty at Stanford,” <a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/william-tarpeh" data-extlink="">William Tarpeh</a>, assistant professor of chemical engineering in the&nbsp;School of Engineering&nbsp;and the study’s senior author, recalled with a chuckle.“I told him that EVs definitely are good for the environment, and we’re now finding new ways to make them even more so,” said Tarpeh. “This study, I think, tells us that we can design the future of battery recycling to optimize the environmental benefits. We can write the script.”<h2>Location, location</h2>Battery recycling’s environmental impacts depend heavily on the processing facility’s location and electricity source.“A battery recycling plant in regions that rely heavily on electricity generated by burning coal would see a diminished climate advantage,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthabunke/" data-extlink="">Samantha Bunke</a>, a PhD student at Stanford and one of the study’s three lead investigators.“On the other hand, fresh-water shortages in regions with cleaner electricity are a great concern,” added Bunke.Most of the study’s data for battery recycling came from Redwood Materials in Nevada – North America’s largest industrial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility – which benefits from the western U.S.’s cleaner energy mix, which includes hydropower, geothermal, and solar.Transportation is also a crucial factor. In the mining and processing of cobalt, for example, 80% of the global supply is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Then, 75% of the cobalt supply for batteries travels by road, rail, and sea to China for refining. Meanwhile, most of the global supply of lithium is mined in Australia and Chile. Most of that supply also makes its way to China. The equivalent process for battery recycling is collecting used batteries and scrap, which must then be transported to the recycler.&nbsp;“We determined that the total transport distance for conventional mining and refining of just the active metals in a battery averages about 35,000 miles (57,000 kilometers). That’s like going around the world one and a half times,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-machala-4a4983111/" data-extlink="">Michael Machala</a>, PhD ’17, also a lead author of the study.“Our estimated total transport of used batteries from your cell phone or an EV to a hypothetical refinement facility in California was around 140 miles (225 kilometers),” added Machala, who was a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford’s <a href="https://energy.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="">Precourt Institute for Energy</a> at the time of research and is now a staff scientist for the Toyota Research Institute. This distance was based on presumed optimal locations for future refining facilities amid ample U.S. recyclable batteries.<h2>Patent advantage</h2>Redwood’s environmental outcomes do not represent the nascent battery recycling industry’s overall environmental performance for recycling used batteries. Conventional pyrometallurgy, a key refining step, is very energy intensive, usually requiring temperatures of more than 2,550 degrees Fahrenheit (1,400 degrees Celsius).Redwood, however, has patented a process called “reductive calcination,” which requires considerably lower temperatures, does not use fossil fuels, and yields more lithium than conventional methods.“Other pyrometallurgical processes similar to Redwood’s are emerging in labs that also operate at moderate temperatures and don’t burn fossil fuels,” said the third lead author, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/xi-chen-4023417b/" data-extlink="">Xi Chen</a>, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford during the time of research and now an assistant professor at City University of Hong Kong.“Every time we spoke about our research, companies would ask us questions and incorporate what we were finding into more efficient practices,” added Chen. “This study can inform the scale-up of battery recycling companies, like the importance of picking good locations for new facilities. California doesn’t have a monopoly on aging lithium-ion batteries from cell phones and EVs.”<h2>Looking ahead</h2>Industrial-scale battery recycling is growing, but not quickly enough, according to senior author Tarpeh.“We’re forecast to run out of new cobalt, nickel, and lithium in the next decade. We’ll probably just mine lower-grade minerals for a while, but 2050 and the goals we have for that year are not far away,” he said.While the U.S. now recycles about 50% of available lithium-ion batteries, it has successfully recycled 99% of lead-acid batteries for decades. Given that used lithium-ion batteries contain materials with up to 10 times higher economic value, the opportunity is significant, Tarpeh said.“For a future with a greatly increased supply of used batteries, we need to design and prepare a recycling system today from collection to processing back into new batteries with minimal environmental impact,” he added. “Hopefully, battery manufacturers will consider recyclability more in their future designs, too.”<hr>Co-authors of the study not mentioned above are Stanford faculty members&nbsp;<a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/ines-azevedo" data-extlink="">Inês L. Azevedo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/sally-benson" data-extlink="">Sally Benson</a>; adjunct faculty member&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquesdechalendar/" data-extlink="">Jacques A. de Chalendar</a>; graduate student&nbsp;<a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/gregory-forbes" data-extlink="">Gregory Forbes</a>, and former Stanford intern&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/akarys-yegizbay-10/" data-extlink="">Akarys Yegizbay</a>. William Tarpeh is also a fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy and at the&nbsp;<a href="http://woods.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="">Woods Institute for the Environment</a>, both of which are part of the&nbsp;<a href="http://sustainability.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>. This study was supported by the Stanford&nbsp;<a href="http://storagex.stanford.edu/" data-extlink="">StorageX Initiative</a>&nbsp;within the Precourt Institute for Energy. Redwood Materials was consulted for primary industrial data, but results were analyzed and interpreted by the listed authors.

Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor William Tarpeh and PhD student Samantha Bunke in the Tarpeh lab. | Bill Rivard / Precourt Institute for Energy

According to new research, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and water usage are all meaningfully reduced when – instead of mining for new metals – batteries are recycled.

Recycling lithium-ion batteries delivers significant environmental benefits

The use of passenger electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to rise to 28% by 2030 and 58% by 2040, globally. The existing supply chain for EV batteries relies mostly on recycling to close the loop to recover critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, or copper. However, conventional battery recycling methods are energy-intensive, produce significant quantities of greenhouse gases, and lead to large volumes of waste deposited in landfills.To catalyze the transition from a linear to a circular supply chain for domestic EV batteries, the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects - Energy (ARPA-E) has announced <a href="https://arpa-e.energy.gov/news-and-media/press-releases/us-department-energy-announces-13-projects-strengthen-domestic" rel="noopener" target="_blank">$36 million for 13 projectsOpens in new window</a> to accelerate technologies and pursue solutions to extend battery life and facilitate repair and reuse to reduce waste.<a href="https://sealionenergy.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">SeaLionOpens in new window</a><a href="https://sealionenergy.com/">&nbsp;Energy</a>, a startup company founded by <a href="https://engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/jayan-reeja.html">Reeja Jayan</a>, professor of <a href="https://www.meche.engineering.cmu.edu/index.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">mechanical engineeringOpens in new window</a> and fellow of the <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/energy/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Scott Institute for Energy InnovationOpens in new window</a>, was selected to receive $1.6 million to develop a low-cost and low-greenhouse gas coating technology that significantly extends battery cycle life. SeaLion Energy’s project, known as TARDIS-J (Tunable Activation &amp; Regeneration in Devices using In-Situ Jamming), will also reduce waste by regenerating “dead” battery cells.Redefining the future of energy storage, SeaLion Energy’s patented innovation also reduces charging times and improves operating safety.“We need to rethink the way batteries are manufactured from the ground up so that every element can be carefully designed, taking into consideration not just cost and performance but also what happens to the battery at end of life,” said Jayan. “When an EV driver wants to upgrade their vehicle, the battery should live on at a grid storage facility to power peoples’ homes; it shouldn’t sit in a landfill.”<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1734397421219-1010-em-sealion-energy.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Each of the 13 ARPA-E funded projects will be managed under the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use of Long Lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) program.“ARPA-E turns bold ideas into transformative breakthroughs,” said ARPA-E Director Evelyn N. Wang. “We identified the need for more effective alternatives to the current battery recycling paradigm. I look forward to seeing how these CIRCULAR projects develop regeneration, repair, reuse, and remanufacture technologies to create a sustainable EV battery supply chain.”U.S. Congresswoman Summer Lee <a href="https://summerlee.house.gov/posts/rep-lee-celebrates-1-6-million-in-federal-investment-for-circular-battery-innovation-in-pittsburgh">celebrated SeaLion’s&nbsp;</a><a href="https://summerlee.house.gov/posts/rep-lee-celebrates-1-6-million-in-federal-investment-for-circular-battery-innovation-in-pittsburgh" rel="noopener" target="_blank">achievementOpens in new window</a>, “With projects like this, Pittsburgh is proving itself as a national leader in clean technology and sustainable innovation. Federal investments in transformative projects like SeaLion’s TARDIS-J are critical not only to supporting local talent and job creation but also to advancing a sustainable future. This is what it means to invest in our communities—solutions that benefit the people and the planet.”<blockquote>We need to focus on innovations that lead to cost-effective, scalable solutions that prolong battery life and reduce waste.<cite>Reeja Jayan, Professor, Mechanical Engineering</cite></blockquote>With funding and comprehensive support from the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, <a href="https://engineering.cmu.edu/mfi/index.html">The Manufacturing Futures Institute</a>, <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/swartz-center-for-entrepreneurship/">The Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship</a>, and <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/cttec/">The Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation</a>, Jayan credits CMU for helping to accelerate the spin-out of her startup company.“I am very grateful for this support,” she said. “I hope SeaLion Energy’s story can serve as a blueprint for the entrepreneurial pursuits of CMU students and faculty.”With climate change no longer just a possibility, but a reality, Jayan believes that everyone who is capable of doing something to mitigate it, should.“Instead of mining entire ecosystems out of existence to collect very limited minerals, we need to focus on innovations that lead to cost-effective, scalable solutions that prolong battery life and reduce waste. By doing so, we can realize a fully circular and domestic EV battery supply chain for the USA.”

SeaLion Energy, a CMU-led startup, received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E to extend EV battery life and facilitate repair and reuse to reduce waste.

Domestic, circular supply chain for EV batteries

Caltech researchers from campus and JPL have collaborated to devise a method for coating lithium-ion battery cathodes with graphene, extending the life and performance of these widely used rechargeable batteries.These efforts have led to a promising discovery that may improve lithium-ion battery performance and reduce reliance on cobalt, an element frequently used in lithium-ion batteries that is difficult to source sustainably.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732324120515-Boyd_David-Graphene-GEN-WEB.width-450+%281%29.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Graphene Encapsulated Nanoparticles (GEN). Nanoparticle silica (SiO2) is encapsulated with graphene using the Caltech low temperature process. The GEN is then dry-coated onto the cathode of a lithium-ion battery to improve performance. Credit: David BoydCaltech senior research scientist David Boyd has worked over the past decade to develop techniques for manufacturing graphene, a one-atom thick layer of carbon that is incredibly strong and conducts electricity more readily than materials such as silicon. In 2015, Boyd and colleagues discovered that <a href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/caltech-scientists-develop-cool-process-make-better-graphene-45961">high-quality graphene could be produced at room temperature</a>. Prior to this, the production of graphene required extremely high temperatures, up to 1,000 degrees Celsius.After this breakthrough, the hunt was on for new applications for graphene. Recently, Boyd teamed up with Will West, a technologist at JPL, which Caltech manages for NASA. West specializes in electrochemistry and, in particular, in the development of improved battery technologies. Boyd and West set out to see if graphene could create an improved lithium-ion battery. Now they have shown that it can."Demonstrating a reliable trend in battery-cell performance requires consistent materials, consistent cell assembly, and careful testing under a range of conditions," says Brent Fultz, Caltech's Barbara and Stanley R. Rawn, Jr., Professor of Materials Science and Applied Physics. "It is fortunate that the team was able to do this work so reproducibly, although it took some time to be sure."The lithium-ion battery, first introduced to the market in 1991, has revolutionized how we use electricity in our daily lives. From our cell phones to electric vehicles, we rely on lithium-ion batteries as a comparatively cheap, energy-efficient, and, most importantly, rechargeable energy source on the go.Despite its successes, there is room for improvement in lithium-ion battery technology. For example, Boyd says, "Tesla engineers want a cost-effective battery that can charge quickly and operate for a longer period of time between charges. That's called the charge-rate capability."West adds: "The more times you can charge a battery over its lifetime, the fewer batteries you have to use. This is important because lithium-ion batteries make use of limited resources and disposing of lithium-ion cells safely and effectively is a very challenging task."An important feature of lithium-ion batteries is how they perform after many cycles of charging and use. Batteries work by creating chemical energy between the two ends of the battery—the cathode and the anode—and converting it into electrical energy. As the chemicals in the cathode and those in the anode function over time, they may not fully recover to their original condition. A common problem is the dissolution of transition metals from the cathode material which is particularly severe in cathode materials with high manganese content, though less so for high cobalt content cathode materials."As a result of unwanted side-reactions that occur during cycling, transition metals in the cathode gradually end up in the anode where they get stuck and reduce the performance of the anode," Boyd explains. This transition metal dissolution (TMD) is a reason why expensive cobalt-bearing cathodes are used instead of inexpensive high manganese content cathodes.A further challenge for lithium-ion batteries is that they require metals that are expensive, scarce, and not always <a href="https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ditccom2019d5_en.pdf" data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true">mined responsibly</a>. A significant amount of the global supply of cobalt, in particular, is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and much of that cobalt is extracted by so-called <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara">artisanal miners</a>: freelance workers, including children, who engage in dangerous and demanding physical labor for little to no pay.The search has been on for ways to increase battery performance while also reducing or eliminating the use of cobalt and still preventing TMD.Enter graphene. Engineers previously knew that carbon coatings on a lithium-ion battery's cathode could slow or stop TMD, but developing a method to apply these coatings proved difficult. "Researchers have tried to deposit graphene directly onto the cathode material, but the process conditions typically needed to deposit graphene would destroy the cathode material," Boyd explains. "We investigated a new technique for depositing graphene on the cathode particles called dry coating. The idea is that you have one 'host' substance of large particles and a 'guest' substance of tiny particles. By mixing them under certain conditions, the system can undergo a phenomenon known as 'ordered mixing' in which the guest particles uniformly coat the host particles."Dry-coating technology has been in use since the 1970s in the pharmaceutical industry to extend the life of tablets by protecting them from moisture, light, and air.Boyd recalls thinking "This is a good idea we might be able to use with graphene! We can first manufacture graphene guest particles—graphene encapsulated nanoparticles (GEN)—using our room-temperature method, and then dry coat a very small amount of it (1 percent in weight) onto the host cathode material so that graphene effectively covers and protects the cathode."Dry coating the cathode with a graphene composite proved successful in the lab. The graphene coating sharply reduced TMD, simultaneously doubled battery cycle life, and allowed the batteries to function across a somewhat wider temperature range than previously possible. This result surprised researchers. It was assumed that only a continuous coating could suppress TMD and that a dry coating composed of particles could not. In addition, because graphene is a form of carbon, it is widely available and environmentally friendly.This method has additional benefits for the battery industry. "Battery factories are very expensive. A lot of money has been invested into them," Boyd says. "So it's very important that improved battery technologies are scalable and can fit into the workflows of existing battery manufacturing. We can take almost any cathode material and add in just a small amount of our GEN, run it for a few minutes in the dry mixer, and it will reduce transition metal dissolution and improve charge-rate capacity.""This is also an advance for coating technologies in general," Boyd says. "It opens up a lot of possibilities for the use of dry coatings."The paper detailing this research is titled "Suppression of Transition Metal Dissolution in Mn-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes with Graphene Nanocomposite Dry Coatings" and was published on November 1, 2024, in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society. Co-authors include Boyd; Fultz; Cullen M. Quine (PhD '23); Caltech staff research scientist Channing Ahn; and West and Jasmina Pasalic at JPL. Research was supported by gifts from Lewis and Diane van Amerongen and Charles Fairchild. Equipment was provided by Graph Energy Inc. Experiments carried out at JPL were supported by NASA.

Caltech researchers from campus and JPL have collaborated to devise a method for coating lithium-ion battery cathodes with graphene, extending the life and performance of these widely used rechargeable batteries.

Graphene Builds a Better Battery

For fourth-year student Jonathan Smith, coming to Penn State was a no-brainer. His parents attended Penn State Harrisburg, and he lived in the Berks County area, so he knew early on where he wanted to continue his education.As for his major, though, the path he followed took him by surprise, he said. In his first year at Penn State Berks, he took an engineering class that would shift his priorities — and launch a startup that has given him clear goals for a future in architectural engineering.&nbsp;“At the end of the semester, there was a competition for sustainable energy charging. So my team pitched an idea to put solar panels on the side of a building, and it powered an electric-vehicle charging station,” Smith said. “We didn’t win that competition, but the four of us continued working on the idea as an independent study.”&nbsp;The team went back to the drawing board and focused on research. They started talking to electric vehicle customers through a program focused on customer discovery, Smith said, and the input they collected helped them to rework their ideas for charging ports.&nbsp;“We did a satisfaction survey, and everyone who could charge at home was extremely satisfied,” Smith said. “But in apartment buildings, 60% of people were satisfied, because they're always butting heads with their neighbor for charging stations or they had to charge on their way to work. It’s just a complete headache.”&nbsp;<aside data-testid="quote-inline"><blockquote>“We hope we give people, the business owners and the apartment complex owners, something that’s feasible to install. They see the financial payback, and people can charge the car quickly at home.”- Jonathan Smith,&nbsp;Penn State student, Streamline Charging CEO</blockquote></aside>Current charging stations can cost as much as $8,000 to install, according to Smith, but they have a limited reach. Codes and regulations restrict their charging cables to 25 feet in length, which means they can only service one or two parking spaces each. In buildings like apartment complexes, that limits the number of people and spaces that can use the stations.&nbsp;Smith and his team used their research to create a possible solution: smaller, mounted charging stations, which can slide on a mount to cover as many as five parking spaces. The installation process could be cheaper, he said, and less disruptive for the property.&nbsp;“We hope we give people, the business owners and the apartment complex owners, something that’s feasible to install,” Smith said. “They see the financial payback, and people can charge the car quickly at home. I think would be really cool.”&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729896046692-24-10-3-originlab-jon-portrait.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Jonathan Smith and his team at Streamline Charging LLC are working to create an electric vehicle charger that provides more flexibility on a smaller budget with support from Penn State. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State.As they’ve reworked the proposal, Smith and his team have found significantly more success. During the spring 2024 semester, they won $5,000 from a competition that will go toward building the first prototype model. The team has grown from the original four-person crew to anywhere from 10-15 people depending on the semester and what they need to accomplish.&nbsp;Their startup, Streamline Charging, also has won about $45,000 in funding from national grants, Smith said. The LLC was <a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/invent-penn-state/story/six-student-startups-compete-30000-incu-competition/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">a finalist in the 2024 Inc.U Competition</a> from Invent Penn State, <a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/berks/story/student-team-developing-ev-charging-stations-receives-awards-and-recognition/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">winning $10,000</a>. It also <a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/berks/story/penn-state-berks-students-receive-student-enterprise-award-funding/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">received additional financial support</a> from the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center earlier this year through the Student Enterprise Awards, and were part of the <a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/berks/story/penn-state-berks-student-startup-received-venturewell-e-team-program-grant/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">2023 summer cohort of VentureWell Accelerator E-Team program</a>.&nbsp;Smith serves as CEO for the company, and the experience has opened up options for his future as he starts looking beyond graduation. The financial opportunities through Invent Penn State, alongside <a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/berks/story/berks-student-team-developing-ev-charging-stations-receives-national-recognition/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Happy Valley LaunchBox programs like the Fast Track Accelerator</a>, have been instrumental in the company’s success, he said.&nbsp;“We’ve had so many professors and people to help us and coach us along the way,” Smith said. “I knew we wanted to make this a business, but we had no idea how to do that. Without LaunchBox, without support from Penn State Berks, we never would have been able to get as far as we have. It’s really exciting that Penn State was able to foster that.”&nbsp;Smith said a prototype is set up at Penn State Berks, and the company is working to install the first fully market-ready version in State College to show appreciation for the support they’ve gotten at the University.&nbsp;That support also includes guidance from Berks professor Kathy Hauser, who ran the first engineering course where Smith first started to develop this idea. Hauser has continued to mentor the team through independent study courses, helping them to implement their ideas.&nbsp;The project was a learning experience for the students, Hauser said, showing them how to navigate real-world business needs and hurdles. But it’s also been a chance for her to learn and try new strategies for her classes.&nbsp;“This project started out almost as an experiment,” Hauser said. “It was this weird kind of thing because it wasn't undergraduate research. It was a chance to expand upon a project with first-year students who really don't have engineering backgrounds.”&nbsp;Typically, Hauser works with third- and fourth-year students to form teams for competitions and business concepts. Because these students are in the midst of wrapping up their academic degrees, they don’t have as many opportunities to hone their idea and pitch.&nbsp;“So we wondered if it was possible to put a team of freshman together and let them explore their own projects, then enter competitions as juniors with a developed idea,” Hauser said.&nbsp;Hauser used her entry-level engineering course, EDSGN 100, as a chance to find teams of first-year students and figure out those ideas. During Smith’s time in the class, there was a specific task to address. A sponsor wanted teams to develop a charging station specifically for Penn State Berks.&nbsp;<aside data-testid="quote-inline"><blockquote>“The reality of it is, if you come up with something, Penn State will help you do it right. Penn State can be very supportive.”- Kathy Hauser,&nbsp;professor, Penn State Berks</blockquote></aside>But Hauser said Smith and his team ended up pursuing their own ideas outside those parameters. They looked at the automotive industry and data connected to the rollout of electric vehicles to determine what was working and what wasn’t, with a broader focus than just designing something that would work at their campus. Hauser gave them the space to pursue that, instead.&nbsp;“That was what we then shifted to, very early in the semester,” Hauser said. “I said, ‘The reality of it is, if you come up with something, Penn State will help you do it right. Penn State can be very supportive.’”&nbsp;Hauser has continued to guide Smith and his team through five semesters of developing and refining an idea that excites them — the movable charging station they’re now working to assemble. The team has changed over time as students dropped out or joined up with the project, Hauser said, but the project hasn’t lost steam.&nbsp;“I teach freshmen, predominantly, and I generally only see them that first year. The only ones I really get to know are my advisees,” Hauser said. “It's been entirely different to continue with these students over three years and really get to know them on a much more personal basis. That's been really fun.”&nbsp;The goal, she said, has always been to give Smith and his team the kind of valuable experience that would serve them well in the future. But the success of the Streamline Charging project has been incredible, she said.&nbsp;“If you want to get an internship by your second year, this was a good class to take. That's all I wanted. Anything else that comes out of it is just kind of the icing on the cake,” Hauser said. “But this team has had a lot of icing on their cake.”&nbsp;Hauser has had other cohorts and teams that came together after Smith’s group, but they haven’t been able to propel a project to the same heights — whether because it didn’t align with their majors or because they didn’t have enough time to commit to it. A new group now has potential, and she’s hoping that Smith’s team has created a path that other teams can start to follow to success.&nbsp;“When you see them latch onto what you taught them or get excited about what you're passionate about, you're really proud of those moments,” Hauser said. “This is why I like teaching. It's knowing that you can make a difference and that those things will have a lasting impact.”&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729896089008-24-10-3-originlab_jon-0001.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Lead Product Engineer Marcelo DeLeon, left, in OriginLabs with Jonathan Smith. The two are working together as Smith's company, Streamline Charging, prepares to install its first electric vehicle charger in State College.&nbsp;Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State.Through Hauser’s guidance, Smith said, he’s been able to build his idea into something that might become a long-term plan for himself. He’s also had the chance to connect with other Penn Staters willing to help him along the way.&nbsp;“In architectural engineering, we have a huge alumni network. That's where I met a lot of the people who have talked with us about growing this into something more,” Smith said. “We have so many people that really want to see us succeed.”&nbsp;Penn State also has assisted with patents and licensing, Smith said, offering students a chance for real benefit from the work they do.&nbsp;“Right now, I'm trying to talk to manufacturers to build the final station. We can look to raise more money soon and, when I graduate, I might be able to work on this full time,” Smith said. “Honestly, it's so much fun. I have an opportunity to decide for myself what to do with my career and my ideas.”&nbsp;

Streamline Charging is preparing to install its charging station in State College. CEO and Penn State student Jonathan Smith works on the parts for the chargers in OriginLabs on Burrowes Street, where he can benefit from support from Penn State. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State.

Penn State student Jonathan Smith works with team to create potential solutions for accessible EV charging

Building a flexible and affordable electric-vehicle charging station

In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking smart charger that could significantly boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by revolutionizing charging infrastructure, making EVs more accessible and sustainable for the future of transportation.

Podcast: This Smart Charger, More EVs

This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/0c6e89ec-2577-48b1-81ca-2b54787cba8e?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>In 2024, more than one in five cars sold is an electric vehicle (EV). Intergovernmental agencies estimate that by 2035, <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/outlook-for-electric-mobility" target="_blank" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="df17f5fe-cbc3-4e3c-86ce-928e3a540089" data-entity-substitution="canonical">half of all new cars sold globally will be EVs</a>.&nbsp;While more EVs on the road sounds like great news for the environment, it could lead to complications. The electric grid is not yet ready to support the EV influx, and unaddressed capacity limitations could threaten the future of the EV industry.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI5MDM4NTYxNjgxLWV2LWZlYXR1cmUtMS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">David Taylor, professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE); Kartik Sastry, a recent ECE Ph.D. graduate; and Michael Leamy, Woodruff Professor and director of Graduate Studies in the School of Mechanical Engineering.Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a device to help avoid grid overload: a revolutionary EV smart-charging system.&nbsp;Their optimization-based approach would not only help reduce grid stress but also enable users to customize the charging process and minimize cost, prioritize the use of carbon-free energy, or adjust the charging speed. The technology might even help promote the EV industry.&nbsp;“The EV revolution is happening so quickly that electrical utilities will find it difficult and costly to update the grid fast enough to accommodate these vehicles,” said <a href="https://research.gatech.edu/node/36005" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="df17f5fe-cbc3-4e3c-86ce-928e3a540089" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Michael J. Leamy</a>, Woodruff Professor and director of Graduate Studies in the <a href="https://www.me.gatech.edu/">George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering</a>. “We wanted to investigate a way of smart charging that considers EVs as they converge on the electric grid, which we already know is near its maximum capacity. We need to buy time for the grid operators so they aren’t overwhelmed when more EVs enter the market.”<h2 id="isPasted">Taking a Load Off (the Grid)</h2>In the southeastern U.S., during the summertime, power use peaks from late afternoon to early evening. By then, the heat of the sun has warmed up homes and buildings, and people have cranked up their air conditioners. This is also when most people come home from work and plug in their EVs, which immediately start charging. When plugged in, an EV can easily be the most significant consumer of power in a home.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI5MDM4NTk2OTQ5LWV2LWZlYXR1cmUtMy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The smart charger minimizes stress on the electric grid by using algorithms to distribute charging over time.“A bunch of EVs charging during the peak power load can be problematic for utilities, exacerbating electricity demand and overloading the grid,” said <a href="https://kartik.ece.gatech.edu/">Kartik Sastry</a>, a recent Ph.D. graduate in the <a href="https://ece.gatech.edu/">School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)</a> and co-inventor of the technology. “But you don’t need to start charging as soon as you come home. In most cases, there’s ample time overnight to fully charge electric vehicles.”&nbsp;The team set out to address the issue of grid overload by taking advantage of overnight surplus charging time. They developed cutting-edge optimization algorithms to distribute charging over time, thereby minimizing grid stresses while offering benefits to consumers.&nbsp;Rather than charging at full speed as soon as an EV is plugged in, the team’s smart-charging algorithms allow for gradual charging, or charging at several intervals over time rather than all at once. The algorithms also decrease the maximum power draw of a home during charging, achieving what the researchers call “peak shaving.”&nbsp;The algorithm itself plans the charging and when it will occur, based on the state of the grid and consumer preferences. The system also makes these decisions without the need for any centralized control, and without communicating with other vehicles in the neighborhood or city.&nbsp;“By using random timing and predictions of household power usage, our algorithm can effectively distribute the load,” said <a href="https://research.gatech.edu/node/36240" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8797f559-5d41-4aea-afa6-46ef49f0b6e2" data-entity-substitution="canonical">David G. Taylor</a>, ECE professor and co-inventor of the charging system. “This means that the number of EVs in a community can increase without the local utility incurring huge expenses for infrastructure upgrades, provided these EVs use the smart charging algorithm we've developed.”<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI5MDM4NjUzNzM1LWltYWdlcyAoMSkuanBlZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2 id="isPasted">Customizable Charging</h2>The system allows consumers to customize their charging. Using an app the team designed, a consumer can control four different facets of charging: cost, carbon-free energy, speed, and battery health. The app’s slider widgets allow a user to weigh their preferences for each; based on the user’s selections, the algorithm determines how best to charge the vehicle while minimizing grid impact.&nbsp;For example, to charge their vehicle quickly, a user would move the charging-speed slider all the way to the right. Prioritizing carbon-free charging, on the other hand, programs the charger to only charge the car when renewable resources such as wind or solar are available on the grid. Choosing to charge at the lowest cost would prompt the system to charge at low-demand times based on a utility’s price schedule, allowing the user to avoid any demand charges.<h2 id="isPasted">Driving Forward</h2><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI5MDM4NjgwOTY5LWV2LWZlYXR1cmUtMi5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The team plans to demonstrate how their smart-charging algorithms can reduce costs for entire fleets of electric vehicles.The team has published several research articles about the project in major journals. They have also built prototype hardware, completed charging case studies with individual EVs, and submitted a patent for the technology.&nbsp;Expanding beyond the system’s applications for individual consumers, the team has also developed this technology to function in commercial settings. They hope to collaborate with an EV charging station company and a public school system that uses EV buses to demonstrate how their algorithms automatically reduce fleet charging costs.&nbsp;The goal, Leamy says, is for companies to license their smart-charging algorithm technology.The researchers are also reaching out to auto companies to have their technology incorporated into EVs themselves, which would allow users to set their charging preferences right from their dashboard.&nbsp;“We hope to demonstrate that smart charging is feasible on a large scale — and also measure the benefits of doing so,” Leamy said. “We plan to show how much money consumers, companies, and school systems can save with smart charging rather than simply charging in an ad hoc fashion.”“We anticipate a significant uptick in EV adoption, which will lead to higher demand on the grid,” Sastry said. “To protect the grid and help the EV industry thrive, we must accommodate these EVs in a smart way, and that’s what we hope to achieve.”

The EV smart charger allows users to customize their charging, with the ability to weight preferences for carbon-free energy, cost, charge speed, and battery health. Credit: Allison Carter

The revolutionary system allows for cheaper, carbon-free charging and aims to reduce the burden on the electric grid as more EVs enter the roadway.

New Smart Charger May Pave the Way for More EVs

A multi-institutional research team led by Georgia Tech’s <a href="https://www.mse.gatech.edu/people/hailong-chen" target="_blank">Hailong Chen</a> has developed a new, low-cost cathode that could radically improve lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) — potentially transforming the electric vehicle (EV) market and large-scale energy storage systems.&nbsp;“For a long time, people have been looking for a lower-cost, more sustainable alternative to existing cathode materials. I think we’ve got one,” said Chen, an associate professor with appointments in the George W. <a href="https://www.me.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering</a> and the <a href="https://www.mse.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">School of Materials Science and Engineering</a>.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1728519667694-Zhantao+sly+smile+device.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Zhantao Liu with the new low-cost cathode that could revolutionize lithium-ion batteries and the EV industry. Photo by Jerry GrilloThe revolutionary material, iron chloride (FeCl3), costs a mere 1-2% of typical cathode materials and canstore the same amount of electricity. Cathode materials affect capacity,&nbsp;energy, and efficiency, playing a major role in a battery’s performance, lifespan, and affordability.“Our cathode can be a game-changer,” said Chen, whose team <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01431-6" target="_blank">describes its work in Nature Sustainability</a>. “It would greatly improve the EV market — and the whole lithium-ion battery market.”First commercialized by Sony in the early 1990s, LIBs sparked an explosion in personal electronics, like smartphones and tablets. The technology eventually advanced to fuel electric vehicles, providing a reliable, rechargeable, high-density energy source. But unlike personal electronics, large-scale energy users like EVs are especially sensitive to the cost of LIBs.&nbsp;Batteries are currently responsible for about 50% of an EV’s total cost, which makes these clean-energy cars more expensive than their internal combustion, greenhouse-gas-spewing cousins. The Chen team’s invention could change that.<h2>Building a Better Battery</h2>Compared to old-fashioned alkaline and lead-acid batteries, LIBs store more energy in a smaller package and power a device longer between charges. But LIBs contain expensive metals, including semiprecious elements like cobalt and nickel, and they have a high manufacturing cost.&nbsp;So far, only four types of cathodes have been successfully commercialized for LIBs. Chen’s would be the fifth, and it would represent a big step forward in battery technology: the development of an all-solid-state LIB.Conventional LIBs use liquid electrolytes to transport lithium ions for storing and releasing energy. They have hard limits on how much energy can be stored, and they can leak and catch fire. But all-solid-state LIBs use solid electrolytes, dramatically boosting a battery’s efficiency and reliability and making it safer and capable of holding more energy. These batteries, still in the development and testing phase, would be a considerable improvement.&nbsp;As researchers and manufacturers across the planet race to make all-solid-state technology practical, Chen and his collaborators have developed an affordable and sustainable solution. With the FeCl3 cathode, a solid electrolyte, and a lithium metal anode, the cost of their whole battery system is 30-40% of current LIBs.&nbsp;“This could not only make EVs much cheaper than internal combustion cars, but it provides a new and promising form of large-scale energy storage, enhancing the resilience of the electrical grid,” Chen said. “In addition, our cathode would greatly improve the sustainability and supply chain stability of the EV market.”<h2>Solid Start to New Discovery</h2>Chen’s interest in FeCl3 as a cathode material originated with his lab’s research into solid electrolyte materials. Starting in 2019, his lab tried to make solid-state batteries using chloride-based solid electrolyteswith traditional commercial oxide-based cathodes. It didn’t go well — the cathode and electrolyte materials didn’t get along.&nbsp;The researchers thought&nbsp;a chloride-based cathode could provide a better pairing with the chloride electrolyte to offer better battery performance.“We found a candidate&nbsp;(FeCl3)&nbsp;worth trying, as its crystal structure is potentially suitable for storing and transporting Li ions, and fortunately, it functioned as we expected,” said Chen.Currently, the most popularly used cathodes in EVs&nbsp;are oxides and&nbsp;require a gigantic amount of costly nickel and cobalt, heavy elements that can be toxic and pose an environmental challenge. In contrast, the Chen team’s cathode contains&nbsp;only&nbsp;iron (Fe) and chlorine (Cl)—abundant, affordable, widely used elements found in steel and table salt.In their initial tests, FeCl3 was found to perform as well as or better than the other, much more expensive cathodes. For example, it has a higher operational voltage than the popularly used cathode LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate, or LFP), which is the electrical force a battery provides when connected to a device, similar to water pressure from a garden hose.&nbsp;This technology may be less than five years from commercial viability in EVs. For now, the team will continue investigating FeCl3 and related materials, according to Chen. The work was led by Chen and postdoc Zhantao Liu (the lead author of the study). Collaborators included researchers from Georgia Tech’s Woodruff School (Ting Zhu) and the <a href="https://eas.gatech.edu/home" target="_blank">School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences</a> (Yuanzhi Tang), as well as the <a href="https://www.ornl.gov/" target="_blank">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a> (Jue Liu) and the <a href="https://uh.edu/" target="_blank">University of Houston</a> (Shuo Chen).“We want to make the materials as perfect as possible in the lab and understand the underlying functioning mechanisms,” Chen said. “But we are open to opportunities to scale up the technology and push it toward commercial applications.”CITATION: Zhantao Liu, Jue Liu, Simin Zhao, Sangni Xun, Paul Byaruhanga, Shuo Chen, Yuanzhi Tang, Ting Zhu, Hailong Chen. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01431-6" target="_blank">“Low-cost iron trichloride cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.” Nature Sustainability</a>.

Hailong Chen and Zhantao Liu present a new, low-cost cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Photo by Jerry Grillo

A research team led by Georgia Tech’s Hailong Chen has developed a low-cost iron chloride cathode for lithium-ion batteries, which could significantly reduce costs and improve performance for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.

New Battery Cathode Material Could Revolutionize EV Market and Energy Storage

Batteries have become so integral to everyday life – powering everything from mobile devices to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems – that people often don’t even think about them. But our increasing reliance on batteries has made considerations like their sustainability and ability to hold charge in a range of environments and the ability to reliably source materials needed to produce them urgent considerations.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1728432344954-ezgif-4-fd42337716.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Peng Bai’s research group combines stable sodium metal plated in liquid electrolyte (left) with precisely engineered particles of sodium vanadium phosphate (right) to create safe and efficient sodium batteries. (Image credit: Peng Bai, Rajeev Gopal and Ethan Boutelle / WashU)<a href="https://engineering.washu.edu/faculty/Peng-Bai.html" target="_blank">Peng Bai</a>, associate professor of energy, environmental &amp; chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, received a two-year, $550,000 Partnerships for Innovation – Technology Translation award from the National Science Foundation to support his work on sodium-based batteries. The award will allow Bai to expand his prior NSF-funded research to scale up and commercialize his sodium battery technology.&nbsp;Bai’s sodium-based batteries deliberately move away from lithium and other rare elements used in traditional batteries. Sodium, a more abundant and easier to process material, promises lower production costs and alleviated supply chain vulnerabilities, fostering a more sustainable and economically efficient energy landscape. Sodium-based batteries may also offer enhanced fast-charging capabilities and improved operation in cold environments, expanding their potential application in large-scale energy storage and portable electronics, including electric vehicles.The project, “<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2431923" target="_blank">Development of high-performance long-life electrodes for sustainable sodium-based batteries</a>,” has three main goals: ensuring consistency in larger production batches, developing greener manufacturing processes using water instead of toxic solvents, and optimizing production processes at a commercial scale. These advancements would pave the way for sodium-based batteries to make their way into everyday technologies within five years, Bai says.

Peng Bai will work toward sustainable and efficient energy storage technology

Beyond lithium: Sodium-based batteries may power the future

The evolution of electrical grids into "smart grids" represents a transformative leap in how electricity is distributed and managed, paving the way for a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy future. At its core, a smart grid integrates advanced digital technologies, such as power and current sensors, smart meters, and automated controls, to facilitate two-way communication between utility providers and customers. This allows for real-time monitoring and management of energy flows, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of electricity distribution.1,2Smart grids are not just about adding Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to old infrastructure but about reimagining how energy is delivered in the 21st century. They embody a modernized grid system that enables bidirectional energy flows and employs two-way communication and control capabilities, ushering in many new functionalities and applications.3 Moreover, smart grids are instrumental in modernizing energy systems to accommodate the growing electricity demand, integrate renewable energy sources seamlessly, and provide enhanced control over energy consumption.4This article will explore the intricate relationship between smart grids and the latest technological advancements (such as AI and 5G), their role in bolstering renewable energy and storage solutions, and how they revolutionise electric vehicle (EV) charging capabilities. We aim to comprehensively cover smart grids' pivotal role in contemporary and future energy systems.<h2 dir="ltr">The Evolution of Electricity Grids</h2><h3 dir="ltr">From Traditional to Smart Grids</h3>The journey from traditional to today's smart grids represents a remarkable evolution in electricity distribution and management. The first "grid" was introduced in 1882 with the Pearl Street Station in New York City. This coal-powered plant marked the beginning of centralised electricity generation, serving a modest 85 customers. The early power systems were characterized by fierce competition between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). AC eventually prevailed due to its efficiency in transmitting electricity over long distances. 5, 6The electricity grid transformed from a competitive and unregulated landscape into a regulated environment with monopolized zones established by the US Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) in 1935. This act responded to the chaotic competition and the impacts of the Great Depression, establishing regulated monopolies to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.5Modernization efforts have significantly enhanced the grids' capabilities, integrating renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to maintain energy security and reliability. This shift towards renewable energy and the decentralization of energy sources marks a significant departure from the past's large-scale, fossil fuel-based systems. Decentralization allows for a more resilient grid system by incorporating smaller, localized energy sources, including homes with solar panels that return electricity to the grid.5, 7<h3 dir="ltr">The Role of Policy and Innovation</h3>Government policies and technological innovations have driven the smart grid revolution. The recent focus on decarbonization and renewable energy integration is a response to the finite supply of fossil fuels and the growing concerns about climate change. Legislation such as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure_Investment_and_Jobs_Act" target="_blank">US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act</a> and the<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Inflation Reduction Act of 2022</a> have provided significant funding and incentives for grid modernization, renewable energy expansion, and the development of cleaner energy technologies.7Technological innovations, especially in digital and communication technologies, have paved the way for the smart grid. These advancements allow for more efficient management and distribution of electricity, accommodating the variable nature of renewable energy sources. High-voltage, direct current (HVDC) transmission lines and energy storage technologies like utility-scale batteries play a vital role in overcoming the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the grid, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.6, 7<h2 dir="ltr">Core Technologies Behind Smart Grids</h2><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NjE1ODAwMTk5LWpwZWcgZW4uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="328" class="fr-fic fr-dii">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">The Backbone: AI and Machine Learning</h3>AI and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing smart grid operations by optimizing energy usage, forecasting demand, and enhancing energy efficiency.&nbsp;AI models like <a href="https://www.lunarenergy.com/gridshare" target="_blank">Gridshare</a> from Lunar Energy collect data from thousands of homes, enabling personalized energy need predictions. This improves grid responsiveness and planning for utility companies. AI's application extends to integrating EVs with the grid, identifying optimal charging times to avoid overwhelming the local grid. Moreover, AI assists in disaster prevention by monitoring the physical infrastructure and predicting potential failures due to extreme weather conditions.8<h3 dir="ltr">The Role of 5G in Smart Grids</h3>5G technology is crucial in smart grids by ensuring real-time data transmission and grid management. Its high-speed connectivity and low latency are pivotal for the seamless operation of smart grids, enabling faster communication between grid components. This is essential for integrating renewable energy sources, managing distributed energy resources (DERs), and supporting dynamic load balancing.9<h3 dir="ltr">Integrating Renewable Energy and Storage Systems</h3>Integrating renewable energy and storage systems into the smart grid is facilitated by AI, which addresses the intermittent nature of renewable sources. AI and ML contribute to rebalancing production and consumption loads, optimizing power yield from renewables like solar energy, and ensuring grid stability. Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies also support this integration by monitoring electrical waves for system state analysis and leveraging electric vehicle batteries as efficient energy storage to balance the grid. 9,10<h3 dir="ltr">EV Charging Infrastructure</h3>Smart grid capabilities are crucial for supporting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Smart grids can recommend optimal charging times to consumers by analysing EV charging patterns and utilising AI, enhancing grid efficiency. This approach not only facilitates the integration of EVs into the grid but also turns them into a valuable energy storage source, helping to balance electricity consumption and reduce grid overload during peak hours.8<h2 dir="ltr">Challenges in Smart Grid Implementation</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Technical Hurdles</h3>Implementing smart grids introduces a complex challenge: integrating diverse energy resources into a unified system. This includes automating substations and switchgear, utilizing weather prediction systems, and adopting advanced sensing and measurement technologies. Such technologies encompass wide-area monitoring systems and fibre-optic temperature monitoring, all aimed at enhancing grid reliability and efficiency.&nbsp;Moreover, decision support technologies and advanced components like microgrid technologies and energy storage solutions (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) are integral to smart grid operations, further complicating the integration process.13 However, reliance on these technologies complicates the integration process due to their diverse operational requirements and compatibility issues. For instance, integrating microgrid technologies requires careful synchronization with the main grid, and energy storage solutions often demand sophisticated control algorithms to optimize their performance within the grid infrastructure. These complexities necessitate meticulous planning and execution to ensure seamless integration of these components into the smart grid system.<h3 dir="ltr">Security and Privacy Concerns</h3>Security and privacy are paramount concerns in the smart grid landscape, exacerbated by the system's interconnectivity and reliance on communication technologies. Smart grids are susceptible to many cyber and cyber-physical threats, including hacking and unauthorized data access.&nbsp;This necessitates robust cybersecurity measures to protect against these threats while ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of user data. Smart grid cybersecurity to mitigate novel security challenges and manage the integration and interoperability issues that come with a more connected and intelligent energy system.11<h3 dir="ltr">Regulatory and Ethical Considerations</h3>Regulatory and ethical considerations also play a critical role in smart grid implementation. Navigating the regulatory landscape involves compliance with existing standards and policies, which may vary significantly across jurisdictions. Furthermore, ethical concerns in data handling require a careful approach to ensure the protection of consumer privacy and the equitable treatment of all grid users.&nbsp;The regulatory framework must address these concerns while supporting the adoption new technologies and practices that facilitate smart grid development. The transformation to a modern power sector necessitates a comprehensive analysis and planning at every level to ensure that integration, data security, reliable communication protocols, and uninterrupted power supply are properly addressed.11<h2 dir="ltr">Future Outlook and Innovations in Smart Grids</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Emerging Technologies and Their Impact</h3><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NjE1ODE2MTg0LWltYWdlIDIgZW5nLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" width="602" height="335" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 822px;">Figure: Smart Grid technologies for the future (derived from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>)The smart grid sector is evolving rapidly, buoyed by technological advancements that promise to redefine energy generation, distribution, and consumption. Key among these are:<ul><li dir="ltr">AI and ML: These technologies are instrumental in optimizing grid operations, enhancing load forecasting, and enabling predictive maintenance. AI's ability to analyze vast amounts of data in real time is pivotal for dynamic energy flow management within the grid.13,14</li><li dir="ltr">Blockchain: The blockchain offers a secure and decentralized framework for energy transactions, promoting transparency and trust in energy exchanges. It can facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing consumers to buy and sell energy directly, significantly impacting grid management and energy distribution.14</li><li dir="ltr">IoT: IoT devices provide real-time monitoring and control over distributed energy resources, enhancing grid efficiency and reliability. Through sensors and smart meters, IoT enables better asset management, including predictive maintenance, and supports the integration of renewable energy sources.14</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Predicted Advancements in Smart Grids</h3><ul><li dir="ltr">Autonomous Grid Management: Future smart grids are expected to leverage AI and IoT for fully autonomous operations, enabling them to self-heal, self-optimize, and self-balance without human intervention. This level of automation will ensure a more resilient and efficient grid capable of managing the complexities of modern energy demands.13,15</li><li dir="ltr">Predictive Maintenance: With the integration of advanced sensors and analytics, smart grids will increasingly adopt predictive maintenance strategies. These strategies will allow for detecting potential failures and scheduling maintenance activities, significantly reducing downtime and improving grid reliability.13,14</li><li dir="ltr">Integration of Renewable Energy and Storage: As smart grids evolve, integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar will become more streamlined and supported by advanced energy storage solutions. This integration will enhance grid stability and reliability and promote a more sustainable and carbon-neutral energy landscape.16</li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">Key Takeaways</h2>Smart grids represent a significant shift from traditional energy systems towards more efficient, sustainable, and resilient electricity distribution and management frameworks. Integrating AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies has set the stage for advanced grid operations, enabling real-time energy management, predictive maintenance, and secure, decentralized energy transactions.The future outlook for smart grids is highly promising, with continued advancements expected to automate grid management further, integrate renewable energy sources seamlessly, and enhance grid reliability through predictive maintenance strategies. These innovations are crucial for meeting the growing global energy demand sustainably and efficiently.Continuous exploration and development in this field will ensure that smart grids evolve to address the complexities of modern energy systems, offering solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also environmentally responsible and economically viable.&nbsp;In conclusion, the trajectory of smart grids is set towards revolutionizing how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed. With the backdrop of climate change and the global push for sustainability, the advancements in smart grid technologies emerge as both a necessity and an opportunity. As we continue to innovate and refine these technologies, the potential to transform our energy systems into models of efficiency and sustainability becomes more tangible.<h2 dir="ltr">References</h2><ol><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/smart-grid-components/" target="_blank">https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/smart-grid-components/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.nist.gov/el/smart-grid-menu/about-smart-grid/smart-grid-beginners-guide" target="_blank">https://www.nist.gov/el/smart-grid-menu/about-smart-grid/smart-grid-beginners-guide</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.energy.gov/oe/grid-modernization-and-smart-grid" target="_blank">https://www.energy.gov/oe/grid-modernization-and-smart-grid</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.energysage.com/electricity/how-has-electric-grid-changed/" target="_blank">https://www.energysage.com/electricity/how-has-electric-grid-changed/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-electricity-grid-works" target="_blank">https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-electricity-grid-works</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://solartechnologies.com/the-history-and-evolution-of-our-electric-grid/" target="_blank">https://solartechnologies.com/the-history-and-evolution-of-our-electric-grid/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/" target="_blank">https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.sap.com/insights/smart-grid-ai-in-energy-technologies.html" target="_blank">https://www.sap.com/insights/smart-grid-ai-in-energy-technologies.html</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/blog/optimizing-energy-production-with-the-latest-smart-grid-technologies/" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/blog/optimizing-energy-production-with-the-latest-smart-grid-technologies/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/" target="_blank">https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/21/14226" target="_blank">https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/21/14226</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/challenges-smart-grid-implementation/" target="_blank">https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/challenges-smart-grid-implementation/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future" target="_blank">https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/smart-grid-trends/" target="_blank">https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/smart-grid-trends/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/blog/the-future-of-smart-grid-technologies/" target="_blank">https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/blog/the-future-of-smart-grid-technologies/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://vortexofadigitalkind.com/smart-grids-green-energy-future/" target="_blank">https://vortexofadigitalkind.com/smart-grids-green-energy-future/</a></li></ol>

Explore the transformative leap from traditional to smart grids, their integration with AI, IoT, and renewable energy, and their future in energy efficiency.

Smart Grid: Navigating the Future of Energy

For the past decade, disordered rock salt has been studied as a potential breakthrough cathode material for use in lithium-ion batteries and a key to creating low-cost, high-energy storage for everything from cell phones to electric vehicles to renewable energy storage.A new MIT study is making sure the material fulfills that promise.Led by Ju Li, the Tokyo Electric Power Company Professor in Nuclear Engineering and professor of materials science and engineering, a team of researchers describe a new class of partially disordered rock salt cathode, integrated with polyanions — dubbed disordered rock salt-polyanionic spinel, or DRXPS — that delivers high energy density at high voltages with significantly improved cycling stability.“There is typically a trade-off in cathode materials between energy density and cycling stability … and with this work we aim to push the envelope by designing new cathode chemistries,” says Yimeng Huang, a postdoc in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering and first author of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-024-01615-6" target="_blank">paper describing the work published today in&nbsp;Nature Energy</a>. “(This) material family has high energy density and good cycling stability because it integrates two major types of cathode materials, rock salt and polyanionic olivine, so it has the benefits of both.”Importantly, Li adds, the new material family is primarily composed of manganese, an earth-abundant element that is significantly less expensive than elements like nickel and cobalt, which are typically used in cathodes today.“Manganese is at least five times less expensive than nickel, and about 30 times less expensive than cobalt,” Li says. “Manganese is also the one of the keys to achieving higher energy densities, so having that material be much more earth-abundant is a tremendous advantage.”<h2>A possible path to renewable energy infrastructure</h2>That advantage will be particularly critical, Li and his co-authors wrote, as the world looks to build the renewable energy infrastructure needed for a low- or no-carbon future.Batteries are a particularly important part of that picture, not only for their potential to decarbonize transportation with electric cars, buses, and trucks, but also because they will be essential to addressing the intermittency issues of wind and solar power by storing excess energy, then feeding it back into the grid at night or on calm days, when renewable generation drops.Given the high cost and relative rarity of materials like cobalt and nickel, they wrote, efforts to rapidly scale up electric storage capacity would likely lead to extreme cost spikes and potentially significant materials shortages.“If we want to have true electrification of energy generation, transportation, and more, we need earth-abundant batteries to store intermittent photovoltaic and wind power,” Li says. “I think this is one of the steps toward that dream.”That sentiment was shared by Gerbrand Ceder, the&nbsp;Samsung&nbsp;Distinguished&nbsp;Chair&nbsp;in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research and a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California at Berkeley.“Lithium-ion batteries are a critical part of the clean energy transition,” Ceder says. “Their continued growth and price decrease depends on the development of inexpensive, high-performance cathode materials made from earth-abundant materials, as presented in this work.”<h2>Overcoming obstacles in existing materials</h2>The new study addresses one of the major challenges facing disordered rock salt cathodes — oxygen mobility.While the materials have long been recognized for offering very high capacity — as much as 350 milliampere-hour per gram — as compared to traditional cathode materials, which typically have capacities of between 190 and 200 milliampere-hour per gram, it is not very stable.The high capacity is contributed partially by oxygen redox, which is activated when the cathode is charged to high voltages. But when that happens, oxygen becomes mobile, leading to reactions with the electrolyte and degradation of the material, eventually leaving it effectively useless after prolonged cycling.To overcome those challenges, Huang added another element — phosphorus — that essentially acts like a glue, holding the oxygen in place to mitigate degradation.“The main innovation here, and the theory behind the design, is that Yimeng added just the right amount of phosphorus, formed so-called polyanions with its neighboring oxygen atoms, into a cation-deficient rock salt structure that can pin them down,” Li explains. “That allows us to basically stop the percolating oxygen transport due to strong covalent bonding between phosphorus and oxygen … meaning we can both utilize the oxygen-contributed capacity, but also have good stability as well.”That ability to charge batteries to higher voltages, Li says, is crucial because it allows for simpler systems to manage the energy they store.“You can say the quality of the energy is higher,” he says. “The higher the voltage per cell, then the less you need to connect them in series in the battery pack, and the simpler the battery management system.”<h2>Pointing the way to future studies</h2>While the cathode material described in the study could have a transformative impact on lithium-ion battery technology, there are still several avenues for study going forward.Among the areas for future study, Huang says, are efforts to explore new ways to fabricate the material, particularly for morphology and scalability considerations.“Right now, we are using high-energy ball milling for mechanochemical synthesis, and … the resulting morphology is non-uniform and has small average particle size (about 150 nanometers). This method is also not quite scalable,” he says. “We are trying to achieve a more uniform morphology with larger particle sizes using some alternate synthesis methods, which would allow us to increase the volumetric energy density of the material and may allow us to explore some coating methods … which could further improve the battery performance. The future methods, of course, should be industrially scalable.”In addition, he says, the disordered rock salt material by itself is not a particularly good conductor, so significant amounts of carbon — as much as 20 weight percent of the cathode paste — were added to boost its conductivity. If the team can reduce the carbon content in the electrode without sacrificing performance, there will be higher active material content in a battery, leading to an increased practical energy density.“In this paper, we just used Super P, a typical conductive carbon consisting of nanospheres, but they’re not very efficient,” Huang says. “We are now exploring using carbon nanotubes, which could reduce the carbon content to just 1 or 2 weight percent, which could allow us to dramatically increase the amount of the active cathode material.”Aside from decreasing carbon content, making thick electrodes, he adds, is yet another way to increase the practical energy density of the battery. This is another area of research that the team is working on.“This is only the beginning of DRXPS research, since we only explored a few chemistries within its vast compositional space,” he continues. “We can play around with different ratios of lithium, manganese, phosphorus, and oxygen, and with various combinations of other polyanion-forming elements such as boron, silicon, and sulfur.”With optimized compositions, more scalable synthesis methods, better morphology that allows for uniform coatings, lower carbon content, and thicker electrodes, he says, the DRXPS cathode family is very promising in applications of electric vehicles and grid storage, and possibly even in consumer electronics, where the volumetric energy density is very important.<hr>This work was supported with funding from the Honda Research Institute USA Inc. and the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and used resources of the National Synchrotron Light Source II at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The work was carried out, in part, using MIT.nano’s facilities.&nbsp;

An artistic illustration of the integration between two distinct battery cathode structures, rock salt (blue polyhedra) and polyanion olivine (red/yellow polyhedra). A novel hybrid structure is obtained by integrating polyanions (yellow polyhedra) into a rock salt (blue polyhedra) structure. Photo: Yimeng Huang/Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

energy storage system

Profiles