Newer and Better Batteries

There may be a technological breakthrough soon that will enable the use of renewable energy to fuel the demands of power grids throughout the world. As the linked article notes the problem with renewable energy sources, like sunlight and wind, is a lack of continuous energy flow. Sunlight is not available 24 hours a day and it is not always windy. Storage of energy has been problematic because the batteries needed have been too expensive and their useable lifetime too short.

An Australian organization known as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) may be getting us closer to overcoming the obstacles facing renewable energy with what is dubbed as a hybrid battery. So called Smart Storage battery technology may be the sought after solution. The hybrid battery would combine a standard lead-acid battery with an asymmetric supercapacitor electrode which could rapidly absorb and release charges. This in turn would allow for a steady release of power as needed by power supply systems. Performance increase is estimated to be 50 per cent greater with respect to the charge and discharge of power. There is also a predicted three fold increase in lifetime for the new batteries as compared to the older lead-acid versions. Another positive effect would be environmentally favorable recycling advantages expected from the new technology.

For more information about battery innovations see the linked article in Technology Review which features a report titled Special Reports Better Batteries. There are multiple links to different types of batteries in different developmental stages.