Abstract
In the context of growing demand on energy storage, exploring the holistic sustainability of technologies is key to future-proofing our development. In this article, a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of aqueous electrolyte aluminum-ion (Al-ion) batteries has been performed. Due to their reported characteristics of high power (circa 300 W kg−1 active material) and low energy density (circa 15 Wh kg−1 active material), these results were compared with those of supercapacitors (per kW). Initial findings suggest these aluminum-ion cells have fewer environmental impacts than commercial supercapacitors, hence offering a more environmentally sensitive energy storage technology solution. Al-ion batteries are in their early development, and this result shows a strong argument for continuing research into this technology alongside other emerging energy storage systems.
Highlights
In the search for sustainable energy, there is a diverse range of renewable methods to generate electricity, such as wind and solar
Using OpenLCA and the European Union’s Environmental Footprint (EUEF) midpoint analysis, the impacts of production were assessed over 19 impact categories, grouped as 1) acidification, 2) carcinogenic properties, 3) climate impact, 4) land usage, 5) ozone impact, and 6) energy resource: (1) Acidification of water, reported as in increase in the mole of H+ eq, reduces the amount of carbonate available for sea life and effects their environment
It can limit the growth of corals and plankton which serve as vast ecosystems for many other marine life (Doney, et al, 2009; Bach, et al, 2016)
Summary
In the search for sustainable energy, there is a diverse range of renewable methods to generate electricity, such as wind and solar. Looking into sustainable energy storage (such as supercapacitors and batteries) is critical for a fully sustainable energy service. Utilizing an aqueous electrolyte may have life cycle assessment (LCA) benefits compared to organic and ionic liquid systems. The aqueous electrolyte Al-ion cell (Holland, et al, 2018) is a good candidate for analysis as its performance characteristics overlap with both supercapacitor and battery application areas. It is a new chemistry and offers the opportunity to develop the system in synergy with LCA, rather than undertaking an LCA as a retrospective assessment. Due to the high power density of the cell and observations of self-discharge, this cell behaves to a supercapacitor, and is seen as a potential hybrid cell as well as compared to LCAs of supercapacitors in Comparison to Supercapacitors
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