Can nanotechnology be used in recharging lithium ion batteries?

Icelandic firm Nanom (previously Greenvolt) has raised $3 million in seed funding in their goal to apply nanotechnology to existing nickel-iron and lithium-ion batteries. In doing so, the company claims to add 9x the energy density, recharging rates and lifecycle capabilities to the century old technology.

Who makes energy storage batteries?

Chinese battery companies BYD, CATL and EVE Energy are the three largest producers of energy storage batteries, especially the cheaper LFP batteries. This month Rolls-Royce signed a deal with CATL to help deploy the company’s batteries in the EU and the UK.

Are lithium-ion batteries the future?

And almost all of the growth came from lithium-ion batteries — the same as those used to power electric cars. Along with wind turbines and solar panels, shipping containers full of these batteries are set to become a more common sight in the future.

What is a lithium ion battery?

Lithium-ion batteries are devices that can store electricity in chemical form. They incorporate different metals and chemicals depending on what they are to be used for. They are very good at absorbing and releasing energy very quickly — think of the swift acceleration of an electric vehicle.

How long do energy storage batteries last?

China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery producer, says its energy storage batteries can last for 25 years. Will it save the planet? Not on its own — but grid-scale energy storage is part of the combination of clean energy technologies that is needed to reach net zero.

Are batteries the future of energy storage?

Batteries offer one solution because they can quickly store and dispatch energy. As installations of wind turbines and solar panels increase — especially in China — energy storage is certain to grow rapidly. They are part of the arsenal of clean energy technologies that will enable a net zero emissions future.