immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Salzbatterie

  • The fireproof future of energy storage

    The fireproof future of energy storage

    The salt battery, an integral part of early electromobility, is a safe and durable storage medium that is convincing in various applications. In contrast to lithium-ion batteries, the salt battery uses a solid, ceramic electrolyte that is neither flammable nor explosive. In Switzerland, Empa researchers are working with industrial partners to further improve the performance and efficiency of this technology.

    Advantages over conventional batteries
    The solid-state architecture and high operating temperature of around 300°C make the salt battery particularly suitable for extreme applications such as tunnelling or offshore installations, where safety is a top priority. Due to its temperature resistance and low-maintenance design, it is also used for the emergency power supply of mobile phone antennas, which have to work reliably for decades even under harsh conditions.

    Economic efficiency and challenges
    One disadvantage of the salt battery is its high operating temperature, which requires a basic consumption of energy. Empa researchers such as Meike Heinz and Enea Svaluto-Ferro are therefore working on cell structures that enable the battery to heat itself during use and thus work more efficiently. Despite the additional energy requirement, the salt battery is considered more economical and stable than many alternatives in certain applications.

    Resource-saving raw materials and recycling systems
    Another advantage is the availability of the required raw materials: Sodium and aluminium are inexpensive and plentiful, making battery production cost-effective and sustainable. Empa’s current research focus is on reducing the nickel content in the cells in order to further reduce the ecological footprint. In future projects, zinc could even replace nickel – an option that could further improve access to sustainable energy storage systems.

    Future prospects
    As research progresses, the salt battery could find its way from specialised fields of application to broad, stationary applications. Its use as a long-lasting and safe storage system for residential areas or neighbourhoods is being seriously considered. It thus offers an innovative alternative to lithium-ion batteries and shows how research at Empa can set the course for the future of energy storage.

  • AEW Energie AG puts salt battery into operation

    AEW Energie AG puts salt battery into operation

    In the future, AEW will provide its AEW myHome customers with an environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. For this purpose, the energy supplier in the Aarau area has added a salt battery storage system from Innovenergy GmbH to its range, according to a media release . The provider from Meiringen BE assembles and sells the battery system.

    The salt battery can be integrated into the overall AEW myHome system. This consists of a heat pump, photovoltaic system with storage, electric charging station and a smart controller. This makes the new type of battery suitable for single and multi-family house owners who want to generate, store and use their own energy. They are suitable wherever a lot of energy is produced and average power is required.

    The salt-based battery storage has an energy density similar to that of a lithium-ion battery and has a service life of at least 15 years. In addition, the salt battery is maintenance-free and 100 percent recyclable. The robust salt battery storage system can neither burn nor explode and also runs in extreme temperatures between -20 degrees and 60 degrees Celsius.

    According to a press release, 32 percent of the table salt-based battery is made up of normal table salt, which comes from Swiss salt pans. This ensures short transport routes. In addition, it contains iron, nickel and ceramics.

    All of these advantages come at a price: A salt battery costs around a third more than a conventional battery. “Nonetheless, we are feeling the growing need for ecology and sustainability. We are sure that more and more customers will consider this storage solution, ”said Patrick Seiger from the AEW myHome team in the press release.