Metal Battery Production Begins

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【Summary】Ambri, a startup, is set to put liquid metal batteries into service on the electrical grid next year. The battery technology is cheaper and simpler than lithium-ion batteries, using molten metal electrodes and a molten salt electrolyte. It is durable, non-flammable, and retains 95% of its capacity after 20 years. However, the company needs to reduce costs to compete with traditional power plants. Another promising energy storage technology is phase-change materials.

FutureCar Staff Aug 16, 2023 6:36 AM PT

The world of clean energy generation is filled with promises of breakthrough technologies that often fail to materialize. Whether it's due to cost, production challenges, or scalability issues, many innovative ideas struggle to compete with established and proven technologies. However, one technology that seems to be defying this trend is the liquid metal battery developed by startup Ambri.

Ambri's battery technology is already positioned to disrupt the market, with a cost of approximately half that of lithium-ion batteries, which currently cost around $405 per kilowatt-hour. The construction method of Ambri's batteries is also simpler, utilizing molten metal electrodes and a molten salt electrolyte. This not only makes the batteries more durable but also eliminates the risk of flammability and ensures long-term stability. According to the company's testing results, the battery is expected to retain 95% of its capacity even after 20 years of use. However, the availability of antimony, one of the essential metals for this technology, could pose a challenge to scaling up production.

While Ambri can currently produce their batteries for $180 to $250 per kilowatt-hour, they aim to reduce the costs to around $20 to compete with traditional "base load" power plants. The company projects that they will achieve this cost reduction by 2030, potentially paving the way for renewable energy to dominate the electrical grid. Liquid metal batteries are not the only nontraditional battery technology in development to address this challenge. Another promising solution on the horizon is phase-change materials.