Posted on December 6, 2018 by Rich Powell and Mitch Kersey
Most current energy storage technologies come in the form of batteries – and there is no more ubiquitous battery in the world than lithium ion.
But while lithium batteries certainly has their uses, it’s unlikely they can fulfill the promise of clean energy sources – from renewables to nuclear.
One reason is a serious concern over its supply chain. Lithium ion battery tech relies on a rare element named cobalt, increasingly referred to as the blood diamond of batteries due to lax child labor and safety laws in copper and nickel mining dominated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In the meantime, China is attempting to capture the global lithium ion battery opportunity in the same way it has begun to dominate solar manufacturing.
In their latest whiteboard video, ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell and Production Director Mitch Kersey detail what’s needed in an ambitious effort to ensure U.S. and global investment in the future of every clean energy source is secure.
View more of Our Take and let us know what you think at jaylistens@clearpath.org.
