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A critical assessment of the resource depletion potential of current and future lithium-ion batteries

Peters, J. F.; Weil, M. 1
1 Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Abstract:

Resource depletion aspects are repeatedly used as an argument for a shift towards new battery technologies. However, whether serious shortages due to the increased demand for traction and stationary batteries can actually be expected is subject to an ongoing discussion. In order to identify the principal drivers of resource depletion for battery production, we assess different lithium-ion battery types and a new lithium-free battery technology (sodium-ion) under this aspect, applying different assessment methodologies. The findings show that very different results are obtained with existing impact assessment methodologies, which hinders clear interpretation. While cobalt, nickel and copper can generally be considered as critical metals, the magnitude of their depletion impacts in comparison with that of other battery materials like lithium, aluminum or manganese differs substantially. A high importance is also found for indirect resource depletion effects caused by the co-extraction of metals from mixed ores. Remarkably, the resource depletion potential per kg of produced battery is driven only partially by the electrode materials and thus depends comparably little on the battery chemistry itself. ... mehr


Volltext §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000070041
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.3390/resources5040046
Scopus
Zitationen: 60
Dimensions
Zitationen: 68
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Helmholtz-Institut Ulm (HIU)
Institut für Technikfolgenabschätzung und Systemanalyse (ITAS)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2016
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 2079-9276
urn:nbn:de:swb:90-700412
KITopen-ID: 1000070041
HGF-Programm 48.01.01 (POF III, LK 01) Innovation Processes+impacts of Technol.
Erschienen in Resources
Verlag MDPI
Band 5
Heft 4
Seiten 46
Schlagwörter Battery, energy storage, environmental impact, life cycle assessment, lithium-ion, resource depletion, sodium-ion, system analysis
Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
Scopus
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