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Grid scale batteries are still aways out and still have to prove themselves at scale but a promising one is made out of materials that are sourced universally -
by somethoughts 3y ago
Grid scale batteries are still aways out and still have to prove themselves at scale but a promising one is made out of materials that are sourced universally - such as iron. [1]
If lithium is battery substrate of choice then the actual raw materials suppliers are more numerous and are not highly correlated to OPEC members. So you get relative energy independence. As far as I know there is not any sort of lithium cartel that has formed as of yet.
Additionally as I understand it - since for grid scale, density is not a factor - there is not as strong a need for rare earth metals. [2]
[1] https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/iron-air-battery-renewable-grid/ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/iron-air-battery-renew...
[2] https://www.energy-storage.news/comparing-six-types-of-lithium-ion-battery-and-their-potential-for-bess-applications/ https://www.energy-storage.news/comparing-six-types-of-lithi...
- nradov 3y agoThe USA is already mostly energy independent of OPEC, so from that perspective nothing would change.
- somethoughts 3y agoFrom my perspective at least, I lump in US oil producers as part of OPEC and less as part of the US. Due to the transportability of oil and the existence of a spot oil market, in times of high global/US oil demand, the US oil producers will sell out to the highest bidder and export our oil and basically take the profits at the expense of US energy users. [1] Oil/LNG prices are a global market whereas solar+battery is a regional market unless grids are set up. [1] https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-products/imports-and-exports.php https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-produc...