Scientists are working on a successful formula by examining how a new kind of battery experiences failure. Their objective is to create a design for the long-term storage of wind and solar energy, which are generated unevenly, enabling these sources to be utilized more reliably in the electric grid.
At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, researchers are focused on developing an effective solution by analyzing how a novel battery type fails. The aim is to craft a system for the long-term storage of wind and solar energy, which is harvested at irregular intervals. This advancement would facilitate their reliable integration into the electric grid.
Batteries work by storing and releasing energy, facilitated by the movement of ions between electrodes, typically through a liquid electrolyte. However, scientists at ORNL have designed a battery that uses sodium ions moving through a more robust and energy-dense solid electrolyte with improved conductivity.
Solid electrolytes are being hailed as the next big advancement in battery technology, provided that researchers can tackle challenges like understanding their failure mechanisms under heavy operational stress. The team at ORNL conducted experiments using high current or voltage while exposing the battery to a powerful X-ray beam. During these tests at the Advanced Photon Source in Argonne National Laboratory, scientists noted the deposition of ions in the electrolyte’s pores, leading to the formation of structures that could result in a short circuit.
“This insight helps us find ways to enhance this very promising solid electrolyte material, which has the potential to enable longer storage of renewable energy,” stated Mengya Li, a researcher at ORNL.
