Lead Batteries have Superhero Status in Meeting Demand for Energy Storage
Batteries have come a long way since Alessandro Volta’s first creation in 1800. On National Battery Day, we celebrate the technology and the multifaceted industry that provides the energy storage to power our lives.
Today’s batteries play a critical role in many industries, including the transportation and energy sectors. Lead batteries, in particular, have a long history of reliability and sustainability, and they are a key component of the U.S. domestic battery infrastructure.
Ready and Scalable: Celebrating the Strength of Our Domestic Battery Infrastructure
The battery industry in the United States not only meets critical needs in our daily lives, but also in national security, economic stability and sustainability. As the world moves to a low carbon future, the demand for electricity will continue to grow.
The lead battery industry is ready today and scalable for the future.
It has a capacity of over 206 GWh in North America and 165 GWh in the United States, demonstrating the strength of a coast-to-coast network of manufacturing and recycling facilities. In fact, lead batteries are designed to be infinitely recyclable. They have nearly a 100% recycling rate, ensuring feedstock for new lead batteries, which typically consist of 80% recycled material.
A robust infrastructure to maximize sustainability ensures a secure and reliable supply of batteries to power our homes, businesses and vehicles – while also driving job growth and technological innovation.
Lead Batteries are Unlocking the Full Potential of Electric Vehicles
Sustainable transportation is another area where lead batteries are playing an important role. They are an essential component in the growth of electric vehicles and enable the EV fast charge stations needed to move the transportation evolution to a low carbon future. There are 20,000 fast chargers available today, with 100,000 needed by 2030.
The development of a vast, reliable charging-station network will help accelerate the adoption of more electrified vehicles. Lead batteries store and provide power at EV charging sites – even during extreme weather and peak demand times.
Charging station developers, automakers and government are rolling-out more lead-battery-supported EV charging stations to provide safe, reliable and convenient power. That supports the deployment of fast-charge-enabled charge points in more locations and at lower cost using existing grid infrastructure.
A lead battery offers significant benefits:
- A domestically sourced energy storage solution for clean and green EV charging.
- Regulates and ensures power at EV charging stations.
- Stores energy from multiple electrical sources (grid power, fuel cell, wind or solar).
Batteries and Renewable Energy: A Match Made in Sustainability
Lead batteries are one of the most environmentally sustainable of all battery technologies. Their impressive sustainability profile makes them an ideal partner for growing renewable energy storage for solar and wind energy.
Lead batteries support renewable energy by offering key advantages to maximize renewables:
- Stabilize the Grid: Lead batteries bolster the grid, so utilities can avoid replacing or making expensive upgrades to transmission lines designed to send baseload power out from central power stations.
- Bridge the Transition: As the move to electrification accelerates, the storage capacity of lead batteries helps utilities use a mix of conventional and renewable energy.
- Regulate Variability: Lead batteries smooth out power variability and prevent disruptions. They store excess energy when demand is low and release it as demand increases.
- Reach Remote Areas: Lead batteries store and optimize renewable energy for basic conveniences and medical emergencies in remote and rural areas with no electricity.
Enjoy Batteries on National Battery Day
We have no way of imagining what Mr. Volta would say today about batteries. But we think he’d be pleased by how much his creation has transformed our lives for the better. On National Battery Day, let’s make a toast to the inventor and the entire industry. Thank you, batteries!
