Production of Liquid Metal Battery Begins

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Startup Ambri is set to put liquid metal batteries into service on the electrical grid next year, offering a cheaper and more durable alternative to lithium ion batteries. With a construction method using molten metal electrodes and a molten salt electrolyte, these batteries are expected to retain 95% of their capacity after 20 years. The main challenge lies in sourcing antimony, one of the metals required for this technology.

FutureCar Staff Aug 22, 2023 10:17 AM PT

Production of Liquid Metal Battery Begins

The field of clean energy generation is filled with promises of new technologies that never seem to materialize. Whether it's due to cost issues, production challenges, or scalability limitations, many breakthroughs fail to reach fruition. Despite this trend, one technology that seems to be defying the odds is the liquid metal battery developed by startup Ambri.

Compared to lithium ion batteries, which cost around $405 per kilowatt-hour, Ambri's battery technology is already poised to be disruptive at a cost of about half that. The construction method is simpler, utilizing molten metal electrodes and a molten salt electrolyte. This not only makes the battery more durable, but also eliminates the risk of flammability and minimizes degradation over time. According to testing results, the battery is expected to retain 95% of its capacity even after 20 years of use. The only potential obstacle in scaling this technology is the availability of antimony, one of the metals required for construction.

While Ambri can currently produce these batteries for $180 to $250 per kilowatt-hour, they aim to reduce the costs to around $20 in order to compete with "base load" power plants. The company projects that by 2030, their costs will significantly decrease, paving the way for electrical grids to be powered entirely by renewables. However, liquid metal batteries are not the only nontraditional battery technology attempting to solve this problem. Another promising energy storage technology on the horizon is phase-change materials.