As more renewable energy is developed, energy storage is increasingly important and attractive, especially grid-scale electrical energy storage; hence, finding and implementing cost-effective and sust.
While battery storage facilitates the integration of intermittent renewables like solar and wind by providing grid stabilization and energy storage capabilities, its environmental benefits may be compromised by factors such as energy-intensive manufacturing processes and reliance on non-renewable resources.
While battery storage systems offer environmental benefits by enabling the transition to renewable energy, they also pose environmental challenges due to their manufacturing processes, resource extraction, and end-of-life disposal (Akintuyi, 2024, Digitemie & Ekemezie, 2024, Nwokediegwu, et. al., 2024, Popoola, et. al., 2024).
What are the environmental impacts of battery production & disposal?
The production and disposal of these batteries involve a variety of processes that could potentially have significant environmental impacts. These include the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, energy consumption during usage, and the management of end-of-life batteries.
Batteries of various types and sizes are considered one of the most suitable approaches to store energy and extensive research exists for different technologies and applications of batteries; however, environmental impacts of large-scale battery use remain a major challenge that requires further study.
Batteries have become indispensable in modern technology, powering everything from portable electronics to large-scale renewable energy storage systems. As the global demand for energy-efficient and sustainable solutions continues to grow, advancements in battery technologies are pivotal in shaping the future of energy storage.
Why is battery energy storage important?
As global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensify, EVs and battery energy storage are critical to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. 13,14 Additionally, in consumer electronics, batteries allow for the portability and convenience that drive technological advancements.