Energy, Net-Zero & Sustainability

BATTERY CHART OF THE WEEK END *   🔺 Key insights extracted from the paper by （Arena） Pu Yang, Sam Adham and Aaron Wade of the CRU Group at https://lnkd.in/e5-CnCeG Will LMFP battery chemistry revolutionise energy density and affordability for EVs❓ 🔹 With Lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries improving energy density of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) while maintaining a low-cost structure, analysts expect LMFP to challenge mid-Ni chemistries in mid-size EVs 🔹 LFP and LMFP have the advantages of thermal stability and, depending on Mn content, LMFP can achieve cycle life similar to LFP 🔹 On energy density, LMFP could offer 10-20% higher energy density than LFP (operating voltage from 3.2 up to 3.9 V) 🔹 LMFP’s 20% higher energy density would translate into a 13% battery cost reduction (from <80 to >60 $/kWh) 🔹 Implemented as large-format cells in combination with space-efficient ‘Cell-to-Pack’ configurations, could LMFP even compete with high-Ni chemistry? 🔹 The trend of compounding LMFP with NMC is also highlighted - Compounding  LMFP (60% Mn) with NMC 811 in a 60:40 ratio could deliver energy density <3 % short of pure NMC 811 with a battery cell cost >10% lower than pure NMC 811 🔹 For all these reasons, analysts expect LMFP to cater well for mid-size EVs which constitute the largest target segment of OEMs globally 🔹 Development and production capacity of LMFP is initially focused in China with several leading players known to have launched or to be developing their LMFP cathode technology (CATL, BYD, SVOLT, GOTION, RONBAY, EASPRING, CNGR …) What about the needed Manganese❓ 🔹 A LMFP-equipped EV with a typical 60 kWh battery will require 30 kg of Mn 🔹 CRU estimates that an additional 147 kT of Mn will be needed in 2030 🔹 Sentiment among producers in China is that domestic production of high-purity manganese intermediates, should be enough to meet demand 🔹 In the absence of processing capacity outside of China, Western end-users will rely on supply from China until new projects come online What does the future look like❓ 🔹 LMFP cells are currently still in prototype testing stage with several automakers with open challenges 🔹 Penetration of L(M)FP (as a % of GWh) across BEVs is expected to reach about 37% globally and 60% in China by 2026, increasing up to 40% globally and at 60% in China by 2030 🔺 To conclude, the study sees LMFP as an advancement that will complement LFP to further grow the segment, while also splitting the market share from LFP in this decade 🔺 For an overview of technological challenges for the development of “design-to-cost chemistries” in Europe, check the Strategic Agenda for R&I of BEPA - Batteries European Partnership Association at https://lnkd.in/ehSB3uW2 * The insights shared here are not a personal analysis or a personal position but simply a digest of content available in the paper - They aim at feeding the conversations in the fascinating battery ecosystem - Nothing more

Here is my traditional Video 🎬 Summary of the #Battery Show 🇩🇪 With 1000+ exhibitors, it is impossible to see 👀 everything in 3 days but I tried to compile a mixture of trends 🏗️ Compared to previous years, there is a big highlight on Gigafactory set-up, manufacturing, assembly methods, processes, etc. Chinese 🇨🇳 Companies such as Lead Intelligent Equipment, KATOP Automation… clearly dominate what is happening in European 🇪🇺 Gigafactories 🦾 Automatic assembly is also a must with equipment for fast and precise welding 🎆, adhesive dispensing… (Atlas Copco, TRUMPF, Beckhoff Automation …). Working with the right machines enable specific technologies but also free margin 💶 by reducing downtime, manpower cost… 🔋 Cells continue to propose interesting innovations, not necessarily on the ⚛️ itself but on tiny details 👁️ that enable new Battery Pack Design (if you want to know more contact me) 🔬 In terms of innovation, I found very interesting products but there are well hidden and you need knowledge and/or quite a lot of talk 💬 to be understand them 🗳️ About Battery Pack Designs, the crazy period where everyone was trying everything 🤪 is over and you see now 2 main routes: 1️⃣ very traditional, conservative, risk-adverse but low innovation 2️⃣ Simple and clean but efficient design with “hidden” 🤫 technologies that make the difference 💰 From a business and money point of view, you clearly do not feel any decrease of interest in #Electric ⚡️ and EV Technologies! The difference with previous years is that customers 🧑🏻💻 are more focused on specific technologies while the market 📊 is now completely saturated with far too many new players I am now preparing my detail Battery Show Report with photos and my business analysis, contact me 📩 if you are interested… 🎶 Music Credit: Pulse of Darkness, LeBlanc

Batteries in California have just broken another record, discharging 29.52 GWh of energy into the grid on Monday. They were the largest source of supply for two hours with output peaking at over 7 GW. Output records have been tumbling in California the last couple of months, where batteries have emerged as the dominant source during the evening peak. They are flattening the duck curve and reducing the need for gas. The contribution of gas to the evening peak has on average been halved compared to the same period last year. Their advance has been rapid - five years ago the record was just 120 MW. California currently has over 10.3 GW of installed battery capacity, with another 3.8 GW planned to come online by the end of 2024. That may sound like a lot, but the California Energy Commission estimates the state will need around 52 GW of battery storage to meet it's 2045 target of getting all its power from carbon-free sources. Batteries will play an important role in the decarbonised grid of the future, but are yet to make significant inroads into the mix in most places. In Australia we have just over 2 GW of battery capacity, and they still represent only a small (but growing) fraction of the mix. With continued improvements in battery energy density and cost, as well as new chemistries, more and more batteries will be deployed to support the grid, whether as stationary storage or as EV batteries via V2X. We are just on the cusp of much more widespread adoption. Onwards and upwards! #energy #sustainability #renewables #energytransition

There are claims that solar uptake will lead to "waste mountains". Research in Nature Physics says: "35 years of cumulative PV module waste (2016–2050) is dwarfed by waste generated by fossil fuel energy & other common waste streams" https://lnkd.in/ew_3_Tkd And solar panels can be recycled with up to 95% of materials repurposed. https://lnkd.in/eznMyWw4

⏱ Autonomous drones as #firstresponders transform response efforts with real-time situational awareness and eyes-on-the-scene capabilities in seconds, not minutes. 🆘 Whether it's rescuing an injured hiker or responding to an active crime scene, hundreds of #publicsafety agencies depend on Skydio drones daily, and the results are extraordinary. Watch Adam Bry discuss #DFR on CNBC. ⬇️

🚨 As technological advances continue to reshape #publicsafety, understanding the regulatory landscape becomes increasingly crucial. ❗ Join us for a live talk where Jakee Stoltz will cover how Skydio helps navigate these regulations to enhance Drone as First Responder capabilities safely and effectively. #DFR #firstresponders #BVLOS