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Articles on Batteries

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An aerial view of pools of brine that slowly evaporate, leaving behind lithium and other minerals, in the SQM mine in the San Pedro de Atacama desert, in northern Chile, on April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

The importance of critical minerals should not condone their extraction at all costs

The temptation to justify critical minerals mining at all costs is a dangerous fallacy. The social and environmental impacts of poorly mined critical minerals are dire.
A large-scale battery storage system in Long Beach, Calif., provides renewable electricity during peak demand periods. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

What is a virtual power plant? An energy expert explains

Some power plants don’t have massive smokestacks or cooling towers – or even a central site.
In June 2023, a fire started at this e-bike shop in New York City and spread to upper floors of the building. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

Lithium-ion battery fires are a growing public safety concern − here’s how to reduce the risk

Lithium-ion batteries power many electric cars, bikes and scooters. When they are damaged or overheated, they can ignite or explode. Four engineers explain how to handle these devices safely.
Long the industry standard, lithium-ion batteries come with considerable drawbacks that limit their widescale adoption as the grid-energy storage medium of choice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

How zinc-ion batteries may solve our renewable energy storage problem

Lithium-ion batteries are holding back the full-scale decarbonization of Canada’s energy grid. Zinc-ion batteries may be the solution.
A Northern Territory lithium mine. Fleet Space Technologies/AAP

We could need 6 times more of the minerals used for renewables and batteries. How can we avoid a huge increase in mining impacts?

Nearly 400 new mines could open by 2035 to meet demand for the minerals used in global electrification. Better recycling can help with supply, but mining’s impacts will have to be better managed.
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Community batteries are popular – but we have to make sure they actually help share power

Community batteries are popular. But that doesn’t mean they’re always the right tool for the job. We have to make sure they do what we want them to do

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