By Eden
Whether it’s powering electric vehicles (EVs), drones, or tools, tracking steps through fitness apps, or even storing unimaginable amounts of energy, there’s one common factor that ties them all together: batteries.
One of the objects we use every day of our lives is in charge of one of the biggest transitions of our time: saving the planet and becoming more environmentally conscious.
From the EV revolution to the role of renewable energy and the possibility of developing next-generation technology, the battery is at the forefront of everything.
The battery, a small and commonly underappreciated component, has a heavy weight on its shoulders as it will enable many industries, including electric vehicles, to transition to clean energy and thus make oil, coal and gas more sustainable. less necessary.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2020 sales of electric vehicles reached a record three million, an increase of 40 percent from 2019.
This growth contrasts with the overall auto market, which fell 16 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thus, today according to the agency, there are more than ten million electric vehicles on the roads, which is equivalent to approximately one percent of the world’s automobile stock.
Furthermore, the 2050 net-zero emissions scenario predicts 300 million electric vehicles on the road, as they now account for more than 60 percent of new car sales, compared to just 4.6 percent in 2020.
Therefore, with the projected number of electric vehicles expected on the road over the next several years, battery supply will need to meet demand.
This will make batteries a key factor in the decarbonization of the planet.
The role of renewable energies
With the issue of renewable energy constantly on the table, it is no longer just a matter of countries being greener, but of being self-sufficient.
In the quest to be as autonomous as possible when it comes to energy, nations are studying how they can “unplug” from outside suppliers.
For example, Germany, which initially aimed to get 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2050, now aims to do so by 2035.
This illustrates how countries are striving to stop relying on others and instead seek energy independence.
In another order, once renewable energy is produced, it needs to be stored.
As countries invest in local power plants – including wind and solar farms – they are also investing in battery development facilities.
For example, with 369 million euros, Italy supports the Stellantis battery plant. It highlights the importance of renewable energy and reliability.
The path to a happier planet
In addition to being used in electric vehicles and increasing renewable energy storage, batteries also play a key role in enabling next-generation technology to improve mobility, wearable devices, and communications, among many other factors.
Thus, the battery is becoming one of the main players when it comes to making household appliances more powerful and creating a greener planet for our generation and those to come.
The effect of the new battery design stands out.
One of the main drawbacks of current batteries is limited performance and, in the case of electric vehicles, having to choose between autonomy and power.
New battery designs allow batteries to be more efficient, opening the door to various performance improvements such as longer range and faster charge time.
These advances will lead to more widespread adoption of battery-powered devices which, in turn, will enable a shift to a greener planet.