Environmental life cycle impacts of lithium-sulfur and sodium-ion batteries
Licentiate thesis, 2024
To fulfil this aim, three studies have been included in the thesis. Two of them address the life cycle environmental and resource impacts of Li-S and SIBs, respectively. Furthermore, as lithium is a key metal for Li-S batteries, it is important to understand the environmental implications of extracting lithium from various sources with different ore grades. Therefore, in the third study, several lithium sources and their corresponding lithium production routes were assessed. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied in all studies, as comparing environmental and resource impacts of products in a holistic manner requires a life cycle perspective. Additionally, as Li-S batteries and SIBs are emerging technologies and not yet produced at large scale, prospective LCA was applied. Prospective aspects that were considered include production scale-up and accounting for potential future changes to the batteries as well as some supplies of materials and energy.
The results show that SIBs are on par with LIBs regarding climate change and perform better regarding mineral resource scarcity. Li-S batteries can perform similarly to LIBs for the same impact categories, but the results are uncertain as the future values of several Li-S design parameters are based on estimations. Furthermore, the environmental and resource performance of Li-S batteries is sensitive towards the lithium source and grade. Several lessons have been learned regarding Li-S battery and SIB impacts as well as the methodology applied. It is concluded that of the investigated NGBs, SIBs show the largest potential from an environmental and resource perspective. Furthermore, due to uncertainties inherent to prospective LCA, results should be seen as indicative rather than absolute. Additionally, involving a technology expert in prospective LCA projects can enhance the understanding of the future technical NGB systems.
lithium-sulfur batteries
next-generation batteries
sodium-ion batteries
prospective LCA
Author
Sanna Wickerts
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis
Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering,;Vol. 11(2023)p. 9553-9563
Journal article
Life cycle environmental impacts of current and future battery-grade lithium supply from brine and spodumene
Resources, Conservation and Recycling,;Vol. 187(2022)
Review article
Prospective life cycle assessment of sodium-ion batteries made from abundant elements
Journal of Industrial Ecology,;Vol. 28(2024)p. 116-129
Journal article
Driving Forces
Sustainable development
Areas of Advance
Production
Subject Categories
Other Environmental Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Publisher
Chalmers