Batteries, like reality TV, are everywhere, and like reality TV they’re successful because they’re inexpensive and constantly recycled.
Yes, recycled – and we’re not just talking about plugging your rechargeables in overnight. For example, the traditional, workhorse lead-acid battery yields over 97% of its lead during recycling. (That’s where all your old car batteries go). We’re well on the road to the environmentally friendly battery. (And batteries, against all the odds, have become sexy – for example, check this out).
But there’s another eco-related battery issue – and it’s a big one. Batteries simply aren’t large enough for the needs of alternative energy generation. That’s why Eon UK, based in Nottingham, England, is investigating how to build a giant battery capable of storing 1 Megawatt of electricity for 4 hours. (Why not use lots of domestic cells? Well, in this case you’d need to find somewhere to store ten million AA batteries).
Meanwhile, work continues on developing existing green energy storage batteries to deliver better performance more cost-effectively. Combine the two – and you have bigger, better, smarter and cheaper. We like.
Personally, I remain convinced we need bigger potatoes.
Image: Dr. Hammert