We spent our last two posts explaining the phenomenon of lithium-ion batteries overheating, and entering thermal runaway. We shared how difficult it is to get on top of these situations, and why this is so. Losing a laptop or a phone in a battery fire is not the end of the world. We close this short series by considering the more important matter of thermal runaway and personal safety. Thermal Runaway, Reality and Personal Safety Risks The possibility of experiencing a lithium battery fire personally is minimal, although it increases slightly in terms of these two factors: The numbe ..read more

In our previous post that we link to below, we discussed what thermal runaway is, and how it may begin. We explored how the underlying cause is heat, but this may not always spread because it depends on the battery. Now we move on to describing the upward spiral of battery thermal runaway, if we are unable to stop it. The Battery Environment And Spiraling Thermal Runaway If the immediate environment can absorb the heat from the rogue chemical reaction, then the battery should remain safe. However, the upward spiral of battery thermal runaway may continue, if this autonomous safety factor does ..read more

Thermal runaway is an uncontrolled chemical reaction that releases heat into the environment for as long as it lasts. This ‘exothermic’ process arrived in our world of batteries with the introduction of lithium-ion cells. We explore the chemistry causing thermal runaway in lithium batteries, as a step towards better battery safety. Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte All electro-chemical batteries store chemical energy, including alkaline, nickel-metal, carbon-zinc, lithium-ion, and our own lead-acid types. But lithium-ion batteries are capable of thermal runaway, because of the ..read more

A new report in South China Morning Post appears to herald a remarkable breakthrough at Chinese Academy of Sciences. Researchers there say they have produced a water battery with almost twice the energy of a traditional lithium one. Will this new water-based battery open the gate for aqueous batteries in electric vehicles we wondered, as we scrolled through the report. Why the Need for a New Water-Based Lithium Battery? The electrolyte in a lithium battery plays a keynote role of transporting ions between cathode and anode. Lithium salt is the commonest material used for this purpose, but it b ..read more

More than 80% of global commercial trade travels across oceans and lakes, and up and down rivers worldwide. Huge diesel motors powering giant ships contribute 3% of the  global warming burden we are starting to feel. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAG) would have been watching with interest as a full battery power vessel arrived in Port of Yangshan, China. How a Full Battery Power Vessel Would Interest UNCTAG Back in 2022 UNCTAG warned of the need for the maritime industry to ready itself for ‘future global crises, climate change and the transition to low-carb ..read more

The batteries we use in our phones, watches and so on, release a flow of electricity when we connect their terminals through a circuit. But the voltage and wattage varies according to the battery type. This system works well provided the battery wattage and voltage matches the device. If not, you can end up with a situation where e-cigarette batteries burn holes in more than your pocket. E-Cigarette Batteries Burn Holes As They Overheat A young dad from North Carolina had an experience we decided to share, because it could equally happen to us. He absent-mindedly popped two spent lithium ..read more

Electric vehicle manufacturers, dealers and owners appear to assume that electricity will be there when they need a recharge. The growing volume of electric cars is beginning to make waves on grid availability during evening peak. We review the impact of electric vehicles on grid supply, and wonder what could be done to moderate this. Electric Vehicle Impact In a Bi-Directional Relationship The term ‘bi-directional’ means ‘moving in two directions’, usually opposite.  So, for example an airline may offer a two-way, bi-directional service between two cities,  let’s say London and Pari ..read more

Customer demand on an electricity supply grid fluctuates according to the day, and the time. Grid central control ideally aims to match this requirement with an adequate supply, although the volts may vary within tolerance. But if the light bulbs dim or brighten beyond an acceptable level, then load balancing the utility grid is indicated. How to Go About Balancing the Utility Grid Most small towns had their own coal or hydroelectric power station in decades past, and made the best of it. But when the good times came the residents may have added another coal generating unit, or perhaps even a ..read more

Mining has historically been a one-size-fits-all type of operation, where the company follows strong seams of a particular mineral. Everything else is pushed aside into heaps that miners euphemistically call ‘tailings’. We were pleased to hear of new initiative bringing recycling battery mining tailings back in focus. We Have to Get Smarter With What We Already Have The project is a joint initiative involving U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, and a U.S. company Talon Metals. The team knows that electric vehicle growth depends on battery materials, and that we should sour ..read more

Vehicle-to-grid charging (V2G) lets electric vehicle owners park their transport, and inject their stored electricity into a utility grid. This avoids the alternative of large-scale grid-batteries for accommodating peak demand. However, as Energy Post points out, the incentives and the technology need to catch up with the idea. What’s Holding Vehicle-To-Grid Charging Back Now? Well, first we to convince electric vehicle owners to cooperate during periods of peak demand. And then we need to have vehicle-to-grid charging points that are convenient for the vehicle owners too. After all, they ..read more