Let's talk solar again! Solar power can be a dream for homesteaders, and those selecting Off grid as a power choice; but it can also be a nightmare! Understanding is the key to avoid the nightmare scenario, and to begin living the dream! Batteries are a necessary evil for this to work, and sometimes new technology comes along to rattle our collective cages.
When is the last time you got excited about a new battery technology? Been a while for me, as they don't come along often. But here is a new one with a LOT of promise! First, this is under development by the original inventor of the LiIon Battery used worldwide! Second, this one is solid state, and does NOT burn. Third, it has three times the power density of LiIon. Fourth, it allows a 60 second charge rate. Fifth, it is a very long life battery.
Image from article:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/renewables/does-new-glass-battery-accelerate-the-end-of-oil
John Goodenough, coinventor of the lithium-ion battery, heads a team of researchers developing the technology that could one day supplant it.
I would like to say that I hope that I can rock the World with new technology, when I am 94 years old!
Article on doped with reactive “alkali” metals like lithium or sodium:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/renewables/does-new-glass-battery-accelerate-the-end-of-oil
This is a significant shift in battery technology, that could change the World we live in! Every device we use is now obsolete, due to this new battery technology.
Fron the article:
They find, for instance, that the lithium- or sodium-glass battery has three times the energy storage capacity of a comparable lithium-ion battery. But its electrolyte is neither flammable nor volatile, and it doesn’t appear to build up the spiky “dendrites” that have plagued lithium-ions as they charge and discharge repeatedly and can ultimately short out, causing battery fires.
This could lower the battery cost, and make electric cars cost effective. It would make their range three times as far as current batteries. Charging times would move from overnight to 60 seconds, allowing charge times to equal the time we currently use to refill a gas tank. Cars with greater range than gas, similar cost, equal times to recharge to gas filling, and a battery that is effectively permanent. I am becoming interested now!
Article in Wikipedia on this tech:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_battery
The most important part here is that this battery can be produced using lower cost sodium over Lithium and the high charge rates do not lower the life expectancy of the battery like in LiIon cells. These batteries are also safe, as they do NOT have the electrolyte that burns in LiIon batteries.
Here is another reference on this new battery design:
https://www.eeweb.com/profile/max-maxfield/articles/quantum-nanophase-glass-battery-technology
It shows that this battery has detractors, but it is unclear what their primary objections actually are. But I will say that the engineering trade publications are treating this very seriously, so keep an eye on it!
I would love to know what the footprint will be like, and how it is to be produced.
This has progressed to the patent stage, so the design has tested well enough to warrant this expense:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160368777