The global electric vehicle and grid storage industries are still largely wagering their hopes on a single technology, lithium-ion. This despite the fact that lithium batteries’ success depends on the additive cobalt that boosts them seven times. While industry leaders say they are moving away from the scarce mineral, cobalt demand just keeps rising. It may turn out unwise for the US to rely too heavily on a single, scarce mineral.
Resources Are Few to Meet Cobalt Demand
There is no pure cobalt on earth, except in meteorites from space. Natural cobalt compounds are found in small quantities in rocks, soil, plants and animals. The mineral frequently associates with nickel, another characteristic component of meteorite iron.
The Democratic Republic of Congo produced 70% of global cobalt in 2017. This may reach 75% under current expansion plans. If this source collapsed, then cobalt supply could suffocate and lithium-ion battery prices would skyrocket. Despite these uncertainties, PR Newswire reports global cobalt demand is growing by 14.5% a year. Robust demand from the battery sector is driving this trend.
The Search for Alternatives Must Continue
The only other significant cobalt reserves may exist in the aptly-named town of Cobalt in Ontario, Canada. However these resources still require verification. Temperature-stable cobalt super-alloys make great fan blades for gas turbines and jet engines.
Radically increasing cobalt demand for EV lithium-ion batteries may cause prices only the super-rich can afford. We are concerned what this could do to the renewable, grid storage industry. Hence we were delighted to hear Argonne National Laboratory has initiated research into new, super-lead acid batteries with greater longevity.
If the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium can solve the problem of lead plates sulfating, then lead batteries could assume a new role in grid storage. The constituent materials are common, and moreover 95% of them pass successfully through recycling plants for reuse.
Related
Argonne Policy Favors Lead Acid Batteries
Cobalt’s Role in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Preview Image: Raw and Processed Cobalt