Fraunhofer ISI presents roadmap on alternative battery technologies

»Are there alternatives to the lithium-ion battery?« A roadmap prepared by the German Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI addresses this question. It analyzes »technology-specific advantages, future application areas, markets and supply chains« with their impact on costs and industrial scalability for the period up to 2045. The roadmap is intended to identify »fields of action for the EU and Germany with regard to technology sovereignty.«
According to the analysis, global demand for lithium-ion batteries, currently the dominant technology in both mobile and stationary applications, will reach nearly one terawatt-hour this year. Demand will multiply as electric vehicles become more widespread. Even for mobile applications, however, alternatives, particularly sodium-ion batteries, are »on the verge of widespread commercialization.« For stationary applications, this technology is also among the promising candidates, according to the roadmap. Other alternatives, some of which are already available, such as redox flow batteries, salt water or high-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries, could also »become more relevant in the near future.«
One of the major advantages of alternative battery technologies – at least for many of them – is the reduced dependence on critical raw materials. In the next five to ten years, according to the study, »the production and supply of lithium, nickel and cobalt will nevertheless remain critical for the time being.«
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