use of lithium-ion batteries
Renewable energy sources are essential in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the creation of a sustainable society. They are crucial in reducing our dependence on environmental pollutants such as oil, natural gas, and coal (Kotcher et al., 2019, P. 1082). However, the challenge with the use of renewable energy is their dependence on environmental conditions. Solar energy, for instance, is entirely dependent on sunlight, and if there is no sunlight, it becomes an unreliable source of energy. Such challenges demand the use of lithium-ion batteries, which allows for the solar energy to be harnessed and stored until when required (Choi et al., 2016, P.12).
A lithium-ion battery is made up of three components, namely two electrodes and a chemical medium called an electrolyte. For the cell to generate electricity, a chemical reaction must occur, triggering the electrons to move from the anode (negatively charged electrode) to cathode (positively charged electrode).when the stored power is exhausted, the battery is recharged consequently sending the electrons back to the negatively charged anode.
Globally, the use of lithium-ion batteries is on the rise. In the United Kingdom, the installation of the lithium-ion battery has been deployed to aid supply services to the national grid. This is important, and it will help match the supply and demand curve as an increasing amount of intermittent solar power gets online. In other jurisdictions such as Australia, lithium-ion batteries are being used to make the grid more resilient and reduce the occurrences of blackouts (Yan et al., 2018, P. 5377).
Despite the role of lithium-ion batteries in reducing dependence on fossil fuel, some concerns have been raised. First, they can only be used for a given period. Secondly, most of the cobalt comes from DRC Congo, and some workers and children face dreadful and dangerous conditions due to its pollution impact on the environment. Nonetheless, with production cost reducing as production increases, lithium-ion batteries continue to offer a gleam of hope for a future that is tied to clean renewable energy.