Production of Liquid Metal Battery Begins

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【Summary】Ambri, a startup, is set to put liquid metal batteries into service on the electrical grid next year. These batteries are cheaper, more durable, and not flammable compared to lithium-ion batteries. Ambri's battery technology costs about half as much as lithium-ion batteries, and after 20 years, it is expected to retain 95% of its capacity. The only challenge is sourcing antimony, one of the metals required for construction.

FutureCar Staff Aug 17, 2023 9:57 AM PT

Production of Liquid Metal Battery Begins

The news is filled with promises of new and innovative clean energy technologies, but many of these ideas never materialize. Whether it's due to cost issues, production challenges, or scalability limitations, these breakthroughs often remain just that – breakthroughs on paper. For example, multi-layered solar panels, wave and tidal energy, and hydrogen fuel cells all show potential, but have yet to surpass the lower cost and proven technologies currently in use.

However, one technology that seems to be defying this trend is the liquid metal battery developed by startup Ambri. This battery is set to be deployed on the electrical grid next year, offering a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. With a cost of about half that of lithium-ion batteries, Ambri's battery technology is already poised to disrupt the market. Additionally, its construction method, which uses molten metal electrodes and a molten salt electrolyte, is simpler and more durable than lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the liquid metal battery is not flammable and is expected to retain 95% of its capacity after 20 years of use.

However, one potential challenge in scaling this technology is sourcing antimony, one of the metals required for its construction. Despite this hurdle, Ambri is confident that they can overcome it and continue to lower their production costs. Currently, they can produce these batteries for $180 to $250 per kilowatt-hour, but they aim to bring the cost down to about $20 per kilowatt-hour by 2030. This would make the technology cost-competitive with "base load" power plants, potentially paving the way for a renewable energy-powered electrical grid.

While liquid metal batteries are a promising solution, they are not the only nontraditional battery technology being explored. Another interesting energy storage technology on the horizon is phase-change materials. These materials have the ability to store and release large amounts of energy through the process of phase change, such as solid to liquid or liquid to gas. Research and development in this field could offer additional options for efficient and sustainable energy storage in the future.