Production of Liquid Metal Battery Begins

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【Summary】Startup Ambri is set to put its liquid metal battery technology into service on the electrical grid next year. With a cost of around $200 per kilowatt-hour, half the cost of lithium-ion batteries, and a simpler construction method, the technology is expected to be a disruptive force in the clean energy generation sector. The battery is durable, non-flammable, and retains 95% of its capacity after 20 years.

FutureCar Staff Aug 17, 2023 12:21 AM PT

Production of Liquid Metal Battery Begins

The news is filled with promises of revolutionary clean energy technologies, but many of them never make it to reality. Whether it's due to cost, production challenges, or scalability issues, we often hear about breakthroughs that never materialize. Despite this trend, one technology that seems to be defying the odds is the liquid metal battery developed by startup Ambri.

Ambri's battery technology has the potential to be disruptive in the industry. With a cost of about half of lithium-ion batteries, which are priced at around $405 per kilowatt-hour, Ambri's batteries are already more affordable, with a price range of $180 to $250 per kilowatt-hour. Moreover, the construction method is simpler, using molten metal electrodes and a molten salt electrolyte. This not only makes the battery more durable, but it also eliminates flammability and reduces degradation over time.

According to the company's testing results, the battery is expected to retain 95% of its capacity even after 20 years of use. However, one potential challenge in scaling up this technology could be sourcing antimony, one of the metals required for the battery's construction.

While Ambri's batteries are already more cost-effective than traditional options, the company aims to further reduce costs to compete with "base load" power plants. Currently, they need to bring the costs down to around $20 per kilowatt-hour. Ambri projects that by 2030, they will be able to achieve this target, which could pave the way for electrical grids to be powered entirely by renewable energy sources.

It's worth noting that liquid metal batteries are not the only unconventional battery technology being explored. Another promising energy storage solution on the horizon is phase-change materials, which offer potential benefits for overcoming energy storage challenges.