Renewable energy Non-flammable and non-toxic alternative to Li-ion batteries for industry

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Lithium-ion batteries are used extensively in electromobility and home electronics. But how can sectors like mining, chemical plants, or applications for extremely harsh conditions also be decarbonized? The start-up Alsym Energy has an idea for non-flammable, non-toxic batteries.

Lithium-ion storage systems are used in all areas of our lives today, especially in electromobility, portable electronics like laptops and smartphones, and energy storage systems that capture electricity from renewable sources. Their high efficiency, cycle stability, and performance make lithium-ion solutions a popular choice. However, when it comes to reducing CO₂ emissions in industry, Li-ion batteries are considerably unsuitable for use in certain areas.

Li-ion batteries are flammable and contain toxic substances, which is why they cannot be used in sectors like the chemical industry or metal processing. The team at Alsym Energy, a startup co-founded by MIT professor Kripa Varanasi, aims to enable safe energy storage in wind farms and solar plants, as well as in harsh environments. To achieve this, the innovators have developed a new, environmentally friendly battery alternative that is safer and more sustainable than lithium-ion batteries.

"No chemical or steel plant would dare to place a lithium battery near the plant premises because it is flammable. But industrial emissions are a much bigger problem than cars. With this approach, we can offer a new way," Alsym CEO Mukesh Chatter is convinced.

Environmentally friendly Li-ion alternative

Due to their flammability and toxicity, lithium-ion batteries are also unsuitable for densely populated areas. As an alternative, the team at Alsym relies on batteries made from non-toxic, stable materials such as manganese oxide and a water-based electrolyte solution. These batteries are not only safer but also more cost-effective and sustainable. Additionally, they can be manufactured in existing production facilities for lithium-ion batteries, allowing for rapid scaling.

Originally, the batteries were developed to provide people in developing countries with affordable electricity, especially in regions without consistent access to power. However, Alsym now aims to support global decarbonization with the solutions they've found, even though initial support for the endeavor was low. The risk of failure was too great. Chatter then found a partner in Varanasi.

"To truly solve the problem of decarbonization, we need to be able to manufacture these batteries everywhere at low cost," said Varanasi. The batteries are particularly suitable for storing energy from renewable sources like wind and solar, can reduce emissions in industries such as chemical and metal processing, and offer a safe power supply for households, data centers, and municipalities.

Electricity for all

Although the batteries do not quite reach the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, Alsym is said to be a leader at the system level among the alternative chemical systems. A 20-foot container with Alsym batteries can deliver 1.7 megawatt-hours of electricity. The batteries can be quickly charged in four hours and can be configured to discharge over a period of two to 110 hours. The technology thus enables fast charging, long-term storage, and scalability for a wide range of applications.

Alsym prototypes are currently being tested worldwide while the company works on further battery technologies with higher energy density and greater temperature resistance. With the platform approach, Alsym aims to reduce dependence on limited raw materials while contributing sustainably to the global energy transition. (sb)