The latest developments in energy storage technology

[discountbrain]

Someone here mentioned the cost of solar vs the grid. Somewhere else people were quoting what it cost to get the power company to hook u up with electric. They were giving figures like $10k! I found that hard to believe. It might be pretty expensive though if u lived more than 1/2 mi from existing power.

 

[mheslep]

store 3 TIMES the energy of Li-ion batteries

One problem with metal air batteries has always been that their *power* density is dozens of times lower than a traditional electrolyte battery. Diffusing oxygen into the metal tends to happen at a much lower rate than ions diffuse in li-ion, especially when nitrogen and water vapor get in the way. So, it's long been possible to buy non rechargeable metal air batteries with greater *energy density* than li-ion, but to obtain the same power required infeasible parallel banks of metal air.

 

[mfb]

Eos energy expects $160/kWh for a large-scale project. For 210 kWh that is still $35,000 worth of batteries.

The power density would be fine for a 3 week storage. Typical values are 500 Wh/kg and 100 W/kg, discharge times longer than 10 hours will work without problems.

 

[anorlunda]

In our enthusiasm about technologies, everyone seems to be ignoring @jim hardy 's safety warning in #68.

210 kWh = 765 megajoules = 0.18 tons of TNT = 163 kg of TNT. A short circuit could release that energy in a very short time. It is utter foolishness to think of storing that much energy in a residence. (not to mention a residence subject to flooding)

If we want to discuss living off the grid with solar plus batteries, that's OK (edit: then start a new thread). Storing 2-3 weeks of electric energy is very different and very dangerous.

 

[DrClaude]

Closed pending moderation.

 

[berkeman]

If we want to discuss living off the grid with solar plus batteries, that's OK (edit: then start a new thread). Storing 2-3 weeks of electric energy is very different and very dangerous.

Thread will remain closed with that reminder about safety.