Battery power: a Technical Roadmap for next-generation advanced lead batteries

NEWS RELEASE

DURHAM, N.C. – September 20, 2021 - The Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) has launched its latest Technical Roadmap dedicated to delivering high-performance batteries supporting green growth and decarbonization goals across the globe.

Combining the latest market analysis with a scientific vision setting out how batteries can enhance performance to deliver a clean and sustainable future, CBI – the global battery research organization - has unveiled new research plans for advanced lead battery research.

Demand continues to soar for battery energy storage across the world as the switch is made to vehicles with greater levels of electrification and energy grids enhance their resilience and flexibility. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) predicts global growth of energy storage systems to triple to reach 160 GWh by 2030.  

Sectors such as telecoms, the shift to 5G networks and the need for reliable power for data centres also feature batteries as central to maintaining communications. 

Dr Christian Rosenkranz, Chair of CBI and Vice President Industry and Governmental Relations EMEA at Clarios, said: “We are spearheading research collaborations with governments, universities, end-users and lead battery manufacturers to ensure we fully tap the innovation potential of the technology. This is the age of the battery, and our roadmap is helping us deliver next-generation lead batteries to meet the challenges of making a clean future a reality.”

CBI’s Director, Dr Alistair Davidson, added: “Analysts predict a huge increase in global demand for lead batteries, estimated to be around 490,000 MWh by 2030. Our Technical Roadmap sets a clear path to achieving enhanced high performing and resilient advanced lead batteries through our new research.”

The roadmap highlights the huge potential to increase lead battery performance and sets targets in each application area, from mobility to renewable energy storage – to increase the lifetime and efficiency of batteries in each sector.

In addition, the superior circularity, safety and reliability of lead batteries is adding further credibility to the nationwide push to be a centre for sustainable battery technology.

Targets in the roadmap include: 

• Automotive:
  • Ensure recent improvements in DCA are maintained for 12 V and low-voltage EV batteries whilst improving high-temperature durability performance.
• Energy storage systems:
  •  Improving cycle life, calendar life and round-trip efficiency whilst reducing acquisition and operating costs.

The new roadmap builds on the progress made in the first edition published in 2019 and expands its coverage of key application areas including motive power, industrial, UPS and e-bikes.

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Notes to editors 

1. The Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) is a pre-competitive research organization funding research into lead batteries for energy storage, motive and automotive applications. For more than 25 years, with its membership of battery manufacturers, industry suppliers, research institutes and universities, CBI has delivered cutting-edge research pushing the boundaries of innovation in lead battery technology. Through research partnerships with scientific institutions across the globe, CBI is setting the standard for advanced lead batteries and the next generation of energy storage.
2. Download CBI’s Technical Roadmap here.
3. Watch CBI’s video showing how lead batteries are electrifying the future: https://youtu.be/jnJv-fI1z3M
4. Dr Alistair Davidson, Director of CBI, is available for interview. For more information, please contact CBI’s media contact: Niamh Owen-McLaughlin, +1 425 223 7499; Niamh.mclaughlin@batteryinnovation.org