Why This NASA Battery May Be The Future of Energy Storage
Undecided with Matt Ferrell・13 minutes read
Satellites use long-lasting nickel-hydrogen batteries that are temperature-tolerant and retain 86% capacity after 30,000 cycles. EnerVenue aims to make these batteries cost-competitive with lithium-ion batteries, offering a potential solution to renewable energy storage challenges.
Insights
- Nickel-hydrogen batteries, developed by COMSAT Laboratories in 1970 for satellite use, have proven to be durable, temperature-tolerant, and long-lasting, making them ideal for various space applications due to their high energy density and minimal maintenance requirements.
- EnerVenue's innovative approach to nickel-hydrogen batteries, featuring a cost-competitive design with a cheaper catalyst than platinum, presents a promising solution for grid-scale energy storage, potentially revolutionizing the industry by addressing renewable energy storage challenges effectively and economically.
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Recent questions
What are nickel-hydrogen batteries used for?
Nickel-hydrogen batteries were initially developed by COMSAT Laboratories in 1970 for satellite use. They have been utilized in various space applications such as the International Space Station, Hubble Telescope, and Mars Rover due to their high energy density and temperature tolerance.
How do nickel-hydrogen batteries compare to lithium-ion batteries?
Nickel-hydrogen batteries, supported by EnerVenue, aim to be cost-competitive with lithium-ion batteries. EnerVenue has replaced platinum with a cheaper catalyst, reducing the cost to $83 per kWh, meeting the Department of Energy's target. These batteries are temperature-tolerant, non-toxic, and have no dendrite formation, making them low maintenance compared to lithium-ion batteries.
What makes nickel-hydrogen batteries unique in terms of energy storage?
Nickel-hydrogen batteries have high pressurized hydrogen gas for increased energy density, making them extremely powerful with 560 watts. They are easily scalable by daisy-chaining and retain 86% capacity after 30,000 cycles, showcasing their durability and longevity in energy storage applications.
Are there any concerns or skepticism surrounding nickel-hydrogen batteries?
Cheaper alternative catalysts, like the ones used by EnerVenue, have shown promise in addressing energy storage issues. However, skepticism remains until the effectiveness and cost of the mystery material are confirmed by Professor Cui. The potential for large-scale storage plants using these batteries is uncertain, as utility companies may be hesitant to adopt new technology that could disrupt their current systems.
How can one learn more about energy storage systems and batteries?
To delve deeper into energy storage systems and batteries like nickel-hydrogen, a recommendation is to explore Brilliant dot org. This platform provides interactive courses like the Chemical Reaction course, offering detailed insights into atoms and charges through bite-sized, visual lessons. Brilliant dot org can provide a comprehensive understanding of energy storage technologies and their applications in renewable energy solutions.
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Summary
00:00
"Nickel-hydrogen batteries: durable, powerful, cost-effective"
- Satellites use long-lasting nickel-hydrogen batteries that can last decades
- EnerVenue supports nickel-hydrogen batteries for grid-scale energy storage
- Nickel-hydrogen batteries are temperature-tolerant and retain 86% capacity after 30,000 cycles
- Batteries are extremely powerful, with 560 watts and easily scalable by daisy-chaining
- Nickel-hydrogen batteries were developed by COMSAT Laboratories in 1970 for satellite use
- Batteries have been used in various space applications like the ISS, Hubble Telescope, and Mars Rover
- Nickel-hydrogen batteries have high pressurized hydrogen gas for increased energy density
- Batteries are temperature-tolerant, non-toxic, and have no dendrite formation, making them low maintenance
- EnerVenue aims to make nickel-hydrogen batteries cost-competitive with lithium-ion batteries
- EnerVenue has replaced platinum with a cheaper catalyst, reducing the cost to $83 per kWh, meeting DOE's target
11:39
Innovative Catalysts for Energy Storage Solutions
- Cheaper alternative catalysts, like the ones Enervenue uses, have shown promise in addressing energy storage issues, but skepticism remains until the mystery material's effectiveness and cost are confirmed by Professor Cui. The potential for large-scale storage plants using these batteries is uncertain, as utility companies may be hesitant to adopt new technology that could disrupt their current systems.
- EnerVenue offers a potential solution to renewable energy storage challenges with their cost-effective and durable batteries. To delve deeper into energy storage systems, the recommendation is to explore Brilliant dot org, which provides interactive courses like the Chemical Reaction course, offering detailed insights into atoms and charges through bite-sized, visual lessons.
