Energy Breakthrough on the Horizon: ORNL Scientists Investigate Battery Breakdowns for Superior Renewable Storage

Striving for a breakthrough in renewable energy storage, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are taking a novel approach by examining the failure modes of a new type of battery. As

ORNL reports

, the focus is on creating batteries capable of effectively storing the inconsistent flow of energy from sources like wind and solar, aiming to make them more dependable components of the electrical grid.

The conventional battery design utilizes a liquid electrolyte for ion transit between electrodes, but the ORNL team’s innovation lies in a solid electrolyte that boasts both higher durability and energy density as the ions move; unfortunately, even with this more formidable medium, scientists are still grappling with understanding the failures that occur under stressful conditions of high current and voltage, these failures include the ions unexpectedly depositing within the electrolyte pores, an action that eventually results in structures that short circuit the battery.

Utilizing the robust capabilities of a particle accelerator’s X-ray beam at Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source, the researchers could directly observe the sodium ions as they traveled and accumulated in the solid electrolyte. This real-time visibility into the batteries’ inner workings is critical to developing strategies for improvement, remediation of these detrimental effects is imperative if solid electrolytes are to reach their full potential in the energy storage landscape.

In the pursuit of making these energy storage solutions viable, ORNL researcher Mengya Li points to the significance of the study;

she expressed

, “We can use this information to understand how to improve this really promising solid electrolyte material that could support storing renewable energy for longer periods,” a statement emphasizing the end goal of their trials and analysis, that is to develop a robust battery which would alleviate the problem of intermittency in renewable energy sources.

Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!