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I was looking into this briefly when I was investigating molten salt batteries. Can anyone who has expertise in this field tell me a bit about why molten salt b
by yowlingcat 6y ago
I was looking into this briefly when I was investigating molten salt batteries. Can anyone who has expertise in this field tell me a bit about why molten salt batteries aren't more common? From what I can tell, the materials used are more renewable than Lithium Ion batteries, and with comparable (potentially higher) density. I can see why molten salt isn't as common in the more portable form factor, but it seems like it would be a great fit for large energy reservoir/grid type applications.
- alexpotato 6y agoI believe the main use of molten salt batteries is for high heat applications e.g. in solar collectors The heat is essentially "free" which makes the molten salt heat retention properties perfect for storing energy overnight.
- marcosdumay 6y agoStationary batteries in general aren't common. We don't have enough transient power generation for them to be very lucrative. (What, is very obviously going to change in the near future.) Added to that, for molten salt batteries, there are old designs with bad cost and density properties and new ones with dangerous materials and patent minefields. I don't think anybody was ever able to sell a Na-S design without being destroyed in some court.