Can we make batteries better for the environment?

(Eco Business, 31 Oct 2018) While batteries are a pivotal piece in the environmental puzzle, they require lots of energy to manufacture, which means high greenhouse gas emissions. How can manufacturers lessen the environmental footprint of producing batteries?

Batteries are ubiquitous yet often ignored, humming in the background while powering appliances, smartphones, and other parts of our lives. They’re also a pivotal piece in the environmental puzzle, as batteries that are better able to store energy will boost intermittent renewables like wind and solar.

But batteries themselves have environmental drawbacks, too. They contain toxic and in some cases flammable materials. And they require lots of energy to manufacture, which means high greenhouse gas emissions.

These are among the issues raised in Future Brief: Towards the Battery of the Future, a recent report from the European Commission’s Science for Environment Policy service. As researchers continue to experiment with new materials and designs—and as regulators look to shape policy—the report (and its accompanying infographic) outlines several areas for improvement.

Mining and refining

During any battery’s lifetime, the report says, some of the worst environmental impacts come from mining and refining. Metals like cobalt and nickel are essential for conducting electricity in many batteries, but digging them out of the ground leaves behind waste that can leak toxic substances into surrounding areas.

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Eco Business, 31 Oct 2018: Can we make batteries better for the environment?