Battery energy storage solutions in 2022
By 2050, the UK aims to reach net zero with the decarbonisation of all sectors. To meet this ambitious target, industries must adapt to alternative methods for delivering their products and services, from investing in new technologies to entirely redesigning their day-to-day operations. The scale of the challenge is apparent, but one that is being embraced by many businesses, like Elmelin, who recognise the importance of making positive environmental change.
Alternate fuels and energy sources are being invested in by many companies, specifically those in the automotive and manufacturing industries. This movement towards cleaner energy and away from fossil fuels has resulted in a sudden influx of innovative ideas for more efficient renewable sources. These renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in the race to replace fossil fuels and thereby driving their demand.
Battery energy storage is a key component of the transition to net zero. Energy production and generation, automotive, aerospace and more all require battery storage technologies to store clean energy. These battery storage technologies are essential for reducing emissions and replacing fossil fuels on a mass scale.
Automotive battery energy storage
Battery electric vehicles are becoming more common, with their production rates dramatically increasing. Not only in the manufacturing of these vehicles, but there has also been a noticeable increase in the advertising of battery electric vehicles, with advertising campaigns for petrol-based vehicles being almost non-existent.
This push towards electric vehicles over recent years and months has meant the battery storage technologies used within them needs to be as efficient as possible. It’s an exciting and fast-paced sector, and Elmelin are working with multiple Partners of the industry to address the continuously evolving challenges in the automotive battery sector by providing innovative solutions.
Compression Pads Plus are a cutting edge solution for extending the useful life of electric vehicle battery packs. These compression pads consist of silicone resin bonded phlogopite mica paper, with insulation paper as a compression body in between. They provide vital thermal and electrical insulation, as well as allowing the expansion and compression during battery operation.
High-temperature insulation solutions combined with mica help mitigate the risk of thermal runaway. Using mica laminated sheets, thermal runaway can be significantly delayed and allow the passengers more time to exit the vehicle and reach a safe distance. The mica sheets form thermal barriers between the battery cells, modules or top covers, as a result of mica’s outstanding insulation properties being able to withstand temperatures of up to 1000°C.
Domestic energy consumption
In the UK, 40% of emissions come from households, making them a heavy contributor to the climate crisis. Personal transport is included in this figure, but the houses themselves require energy and heating. With the number of houses being built increasing dramatically in the UK, there is an urgent need for innovation and lifestyle changes in order to reduce energy consumption and in turn carbon footprint. More people are becoming environmentally-conscious and altering their daily lifestyles in order to reduce energy consumption and waste. Furthermore, economic factors come into account, where rising energy prices will lead to people aiming to reduce their consumption and save money.
Domestic energy consumption was found to have decreased over the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people staying at home and not using personal transport as often. However, now we are seeing a shift in workplaces, where more people are working from home rather than in offices. Working from home has led to more electricity being used, for charging devices, monitors and printers for example. Furthermore, central heating is used more often over the cooler months to keep warm while working during the day. These factors have been unprecedented, yet need to be considered when discussing domestic energy storage.
Domestic energy storage solutions
The rise in renewable technologies has been an important piece of the puzzle for reaching net zero by 2050. For domestic households, solar panels are the most common source of renewable energy. Initially, installation costs were too high for the majority of households, but now they are becoming more accessible. The solar photovoltaic cells in the panels store electricity when there is high supply and low demand, with on-grid systems exporting a surplus to a large-scale grid. Off-grid solar panel systems use household batteries to store the energy generated throughout the day, so it can be used at night if required.
Elmelin are designing insulation solutions that will fit with new standards for home building and enable clean energy to power and sustain the next generation of homes in the UK, by working closely with customers to find out what’s really needed. These solutions involve making on-grid and off-grid energy storage safer, with ongoing development and innovation in battery technology, aiming to make grid energy storage more commercially viable. Elmelin’s high temperature and high voltage insulation expertise has led to the development of solutions aiming to improve grid energy storage safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Conclusion
Energy consumption, within industry and domestically, is a large contributor to greenhouse emissions and environmental impact. Both the sourcing and use of energy has required massive shifts in its production and consumption. Renewable energy and cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels are becoming increasingly common and viable for large scale use. Innovations in energy storage have allowed for improved battery lifespan and efficiency, increasing the volumes of clean energy that can be stored and consumed. Over the past decade, more and more businesses and technologies aiming to provide solutions have been established. Northwood, founded in 2016, are currently developing batteries that are produced using only clean energy, with no environmental impacts.
These innovations in the energy storage sector are helping us to reach the net zero target. Elmelin provide innovative mica-based insulation for battery storage systems, allowing for greater efficiency and longer lasting storage. Elmelin’s skilled engineering team specialise in battery technology in order to develop innovative solutions which increase efficiency, extend their lifespan and improve safety. Using decades of experience, we produce high energy density lithium-ion safety and protection solutions ranging from automotive use in electric vehicles to larger domestic energy storage packs.
Get in touch here to find out more about the solutions Elmelin offer.