A little-known alternative to lithium-ion batteries is gaining attention. Zinc-air batteries, which are being used in remote villages in Africa and Asia, are being touted as a way of storing energy generated from renewable sources.
If the development of these power sources progresses, this could provide a viable and cheaper alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The main issue with the lithium-ion options is that they’re based on a mineral that’s scarce and increasingly difficult to come by.
Another issue with lithium-ion batteries is that they can explode or catch fire. Samsung in particular suffered with this issue with the release of its Galaxy Note 7 and having to halt sales of the tablet in 2016 after reports of their batteries exploding.
NantEnergy is behind the development and recently announced that it’s created a rechargeable zinc-air battery storage system.
Patrick Soon-Shang, head of the company, said in an interview with the Seattle Times that it could lead to exciting developments. “It could change and create completely new economies using purely the power of the sun, wind and air,” he stated.
But zinc-air isn’t the only new battery technology that’s being talked about. Phys.org recently highlighted the efforts being made to develop sodium-ion batteries.
These would utilise the readily available and cheap mineral, but until now there has also been an issue with their stability. However, Purdue University researchers appear to have made a breakthrough in this regard and have revealed that they’ve developed a sodium powder battery that holds its charge properly and is much more stable.
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