Stanford scientists figured out why lithium metal batteries fail
Researchers at Stanford University and the US Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have identified what causes lithium metal batteries to short-circuit and fail – and this could help avoid the problem in future battery production.
Expand Expanding CloseLG Energy Solution and Snow Lake Lithium team up to establish lithium supply chain for EVs in North America
Carbon-conscious mining company Snow Lake Lithium and battery production specialist LG Energy Solution announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a domestic supply chain of lithium in North America. When Snow Lake’s lithium mining operation gets up and running in 2025, it plans to supply LG with the precious Earth material essential to current EV battery chemistry. This domestic supply chain could help several automakers qualify for US federal tax credits as well.
Expand Expanding CloseFord, LG Energy supplier using lithium extraction with ‘minimal environmental impact’ to produce EV battery metals
Compass Mineral International, a leading supplier of essential minerals like salt and sulfate of potash (used in plant fertilizer), has been pivoting to focus on the “new gold” rush, lithium. The minerals company, which has deals to supply lithium for EV leaders like Ford and LG Energy, is doubling down by using a new extraction technology to obtain the mineral with minimal impact on the environment.
Expand Expanding CloseMercedes-Benz to source 10K tons of lithium from Rock Tech in Canada
In its latest bold move to lock up raw materials for electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is announcing a new deal with Rock Tech Lithium for 10,000 tons of battery-grade lithium annually.
Expand Expanding CloseSoaring EV demand pushes lithium market to double by 2030, according to new report
According to new forecasts, the lithium market is expected to double by 2030 as soaring EV demand accelerates.
Expand Expanding CloseToyota and Panasonic secure US lithium to boost EV capacity
Toyota Motors is boosting its US EV capacity with a new supply agreement with Ioneer LTD’s Rhyolite Ridge mining project. According to the new deal, Ioneer will supply 4,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually to the Toyota-Panasonic battery venture.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat does sustainable lithium mining look like?
Lithium is a vital component of EV batteries, and Winnipeg, Canada-headquartered Snow Lake Lithium says it’s committed to operating a fully renewable and sustainable lithium mine. What does that mean?
Expand Expanding CloseBiden invokes Defense Production Act to boost EV, storage battery minerals
President Joe Biden will today authorize the use of Title III of the Korean War-era Defense Production Act (DPA) to rapidly step up US production of minerals for electric vehicle and storage batteries.
Expand Expanding CloseTesla ramps up deals to secure future supply of critical battery metals, adds another lithium contract
Tesla has been ramping up deals to secure future supply of critical battery metals at upcoming mines lately, and it’s now adding another lithium contract with a new mine in Australia.
Expand Expanding CloseTesla (TSLA) secures lithium supply from upcoming mine in Australia
Tesla (TSLA) has signed a contract to secure lithium supply from an upcoming mine in Australia developed by Liontown.
The critical material to battery production is expected to start flowing in 2024.
Expand Expanding CloseWill this metal recycling startup revolutionize the battery and clean energy sectors? [Update]
Most of the materials required for batteries and other clean energy technology are dirty to mine. They’re also mostly controlled by China. Can a recycling technology startup change that?
Electrek spoke with Megan O’Connor, cofounder and CEO of Nth Cycle, a Beverly, Massachusetts-based developer of a recycling technology that extracts critical metals from batteries for a second life, about how to enable a clean, domestic, and streamlined supply of critical minerals for the clean energy transition. Nth Cycle’s technology was developed at Harvard and Yale universities.
In April, Nth Cycle received $3.2 million in seed funding led by Boston-based clean energy venture capital company Clean Energy Ventures.
Expand Expanding CloseSnow Lake Lithium is developing the world’s first all-electric lithium mine to support EV industry in North America
Snow Lake Resources Ltd. has outlined plans to develop over 55,000 acres in Manitoba, Canada into the world’s first all-electric lithium mine. By utilizing Manitoba’s hydroelectricity, the entire mining operation can run on 98% renewable energy, helping the company sustainably source lithium – a vital resource to EV batteries – domestically in North America. As Snow Lake Lithium works through the environmental red tape to begin mining, it is seeking an OEM to enter in a joint venture to help process the lithium into EV batteries for North America.
Expand Expanding CloseIn a ‘world first,’ battery-grade lithium, vital for EVs, is produced from mica in granite
In what it claims is a “world first,” British Lithium has produced lithium at pilot scale from the mica in granite in its new government-backed pilot plant near Roche in Cornwall, England.
Expand Expanding CloseEGEB: Scandinavia’s largest offshore wind farm is inaugurated
In today’s Electrek Green Energy Brief (EGEB):
- Denmark’s and Scandinavia’s largest offshore wind farm was inaugurated yesterday.
- A judge denies another bid to halt excavation at the largest-known lithium resource in the US.
- UnderstandSolar is a free service that links you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar estimates. Tesla now offers price matching, so it’s important to shop for the best quotes. Click here to learn more and get your quotes. — *ad.
EGEB: Clean energy was second-most prevalent US electricity source in 2020
In today’s Electrek Green Energy Brief (EGEB):
- In 2020, clean energy sources generated 21% of all US electricity.
- A judge rules that the largest known lithium resource in the US can be excavated.
- UnderstandSolar is a free service that links you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar estimates. Tesla now offers price matching, so it’s important to shop for the best quotes. Click here to learn more and get your quotes. — *ad.
The US has to mine more minerals to meet EV, clean energy demands
Clean energy may mean less mining for coal, but it also means more mining for minerals such as cobalt for use in alloys and batteries, tellurium for solar cells and semiconductors, and germanium for transistors in electronic devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGM to source lithium for next-generation EV batteries in US
General Motors (GM) has announced a strategic investment and commercial collaboration with Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) to secure lower-cost lithium in the US for the development of its next generation of EV batteries. The legacy automaker hopes this collaboration will garner more environmentally friendly methods of obtaining precious lithium while simultaneously help lower the price of its EVs.
Expand Expanding CloseLithium for EV batteries – the art of mineral extraction [Video]
As the demand for EV batteries increases, could lithium be the vital element we need for our electric future? British physicist, oceanographer, and TV presenter Helen Czerski heads to Cornwall, which is rich with lithium, to find out why it’s so important and how it can be more ethically sourced.
Expand Expanding CloseScientists have cost-effectively harvested lithium from seawater
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia have figured out how to extract lithium, an essential part of electric vehicle batteries, from seawater in a more cost-effective way.
Expand Expanding CloseThis breakthrough may revolutionize lithium-sulfur batteries
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, given their light weight and theoretical high capacities, are a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for large-scale energy storage systems and electric vehicles. But Li-S batteries currently suffer from poor longevity.
Now, scientists from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Korea have discovered a new catalyst material’s ability to significantly improve lithium-sulfur battery life, giving them great commercial potential.
Expand Expanding CloseTesla signs long-term lithium hydroxide supply deal with China’s Yahua
Tesla has signed a long-term lithium hydroxide supply deal with China’s Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group, according to the latter.
Expand Expanding CloseLG Chem and GM to invest $2+B for Ohio battery factory, Cadillac EV on tap
In July it was announced that LG Chem was working on a potential new billion-dollar US battery cell factory for electric cars. Today in a security filing in South Korea, LG Chem confirmed that investment, and that GM will invest another billion.
Reuters reports that the location is expected to be in the area of Lordstown, Ohio, where GM (pictured in Detroit) recently sold its factory to an EV startup affiliated with Workhorse. This follows news earlier this week that Piedmont Lithium received an important federal permit to proceed with its lithium mine in Gaston County, North Carolina — the second in North America. Looks like Interstate 77 will be America’s hot new lithium corridor.
Tesla secures a supply agreement with China’s biggest lithium producer for batteries
Tesla is currently trying to secure resources for its battery production ramp up at Gigafactory 1.
Now we’ve learned that the automaker has signed a supply agreement with China’s biggest lithium producer.
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Tesla secures deal to get lithium from Australia
Tesla’s raw material needs, including lithium, are increasing rapidly with its battery production ramp-up at Gigafactory 1 in Nevada to support the Model 3 production and other energy storage projects.
In order to secure some of the supply, Tesla has now signed a new offtake agreement with an integrated lithium miner and refiner in Australia.
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