Why are we optimistic about the energy storage lithium battery industry

Demand for Lithium-Ion batteries to power electric vehicles and energy storage has seen exponential growth, increasing from just 0.5 gigawatt-hours in 2010 to around 526 gigawatt hours a decade later. Demand is projected to increase 17-fold by 2030, bringing the cost of battery storage down, according to Bloomberg.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) will have a CAGR of 30 percent, and the GWh required to power these applications in 2030 will be comparable to the GWh needed for all applications today. China could account for 45 percent of total Li-ion demand in 2025 and 40 percent in 2030—most battery-chain segments are already mature in that country.

Lithium-ion batteries dominate both EV and storage applications, and chemistries can be adapted to mineral availability and price, demonstrated by the market share for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries rising to 40% of EV sales and 80% of new battery storage in 2023.

Recognizing the cost barrier to widespread LDES deployments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the Long Duration Storage Shotj in 2021 to achieve 90% cost reductionk by 2030 for technologies that can provide 10+ hours or longer duration of energy storage [1].

An increased supply of lithium will be needed to meet future expected demand growth for lithium-ion batteries for transportation and energy storage. Lithium demand has tripled since 2017 [1] and is set to grow tenfold by 2050 under the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario. [2]

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6 FAQs about [Why are we optimistic about the energy storage lithium battery industry]

Are lithium-ion batteries the future of energy storage?

As the world increasingly swaps fossil fuel power for emissions-free electrification, batteries are becoming a vital storage tool to facilitate the energy transition. Lithium-Ion batteries first appeared commercially in the early 1990s and are now the go-to choice to power everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles and drones.

Are lithium-ion batteries a resource problem?

The resource question is an important one. Although lithium-Ion batteries contain a very small amount of lithium, the predicted growth of demand for these batteries could put pressure on supply chains for materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite. And it’s essential that supply chains operate in an ethical way.

What percentage of lithium-ion batteries are used in the energy sector?

Despite the continuing use of lithium-ion batteries in billions of personal devices in the world, the energy sector now accounts for over 90% of annual lithium-ion battery demand. This is up from 50% for the energy sector in 2016, when the total lithium-ion battery market was 10-times smaller.

Can lithium ion batteries be adapted to mineral availability & price?

Are batteries the future of energy storage?

Batteries offer one solution because they can quickly store and dispatch energy. As installations of wind turbines and solar panels increase — especially in China — energy storage is certain to grow rapidly. They are part of the arsenal of clean energy technologies that will enable a net zero emissions future.

Are lithium-ion batteries in short supply?

A further risk is that lithium-ion batteries rely on critical minerals that are expected to be in short supply by the end of the decade. However, that could be balanced out by the development of other storage technologies, such as sodium-ion batteries.

Why are we optimistic about the energy storage lithium battery industry