Carbon footprints mattered little to average consumer minds even twenty years ago. However, nowadays things are different with extreme weather recurring more frequently. Mining Review Africa put battery carbon footprints in a new light, when it compared vanadium redox flow batteries with lithium-ion. Its post dated January 13, 2023 suggests redox flow has distinct environmental advantages.
Life Cycle Assessment of Battery Carbon Footprints
A life cycle assessment by independent consultants scores vanadium redox flow batteries significantly better compared to lithium-ion. This edge, in terms of carbon impact becomes increasingly important in the search for a carbon-free economy.
- Battery energy storage systems pay a critical support roll in rollout of solar-photovoltaic and wind power installations.
- The two main contenders in the race for this lucrative market are lithium-ion and redox flow batteries.
- Environmental, social and governance factors are increasingly applying pressure on operators to act responsibly.
These three factors are becoming increasingly important for investors seeking ‘nature-friendly’ battery carbon footprints.
Redox Flow Batteries ‘Highly Environmentally Favorable’
The Mining Review Africa report claims ‘highly significant differences’ between the two energy storage systems’. That’s because, it says, the vanadium redox flow batteries in the study “have only 66% of the global warming potential of lithium-ion competitors”.
However, this does not mean they are carbon neutral. They are simply less damaging to the environment. A ‘sensitivity analysis’ cites the following factors contributing to this comparison:
- The vanadium redox flow electrolyte is recyclable and reusable.
- The redox flow system has a ‘minimal lifetime of twenty years’.
- Some 85% of the redox flow battery can be reused, by weight.
- Moreover, ‘almost all’ of the remaining materials are recyclable.
The report does not cite comparable results for lithium-ion battery carbon footprints.
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