The International Zinc Association (IZA) announced the launch of its newest program, the Zinc Battery Initiative.
Recent extreme weather events, amplified by climate change, have once again focused attention on the future role of fossil fuels and the capacity and resilience of energy grids worldwide.
One of the most impactful ways of addressing this is through cost-effective energy storage. As renewables become an ever-greater part of the electrical grid, energy storage can help address solar and wind power’s intermittency. It can also help respond to large fluctuations in demand by capturing and storing excess energy during low demand and bringing it online during peak times.
Energy storage also helps provide resilience by serving as a backup energy supply when generation is interrupted. It will also play a pivotal role in electrifying transport, and other applications where power is needed, but tethered connections to the grid are not practical.
Addressing climate change and creating energy grids resistant to extreme weather will require a variety of technologies. Zinc batteries have much to contribute. They are versatile, offering flexible designs with broad operating temperatures, high power discharge, and are capable of long-duration storage. Zinc has strong supply chains in all major regions, with production in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Zinc batteries also have an excellent safety record, making them an ideal choice where physical safety is essential.
“The advancement of zinc battery technologies, resulting in low-cost, sustainable, and safe options for key applications represents a disruptive innovation with significant impacts on these markets going forward,” said Andrew Green, executive director of the International Zinc Association. “We are enthusiastic about creating a partnership between our zinc-producing members and leading companies in the zinc battery sector to help promote the development and use of these technologies.”
Members of the ZBI include some of the leading companies in the zinc-battery sector, including ZincFive, Zinc8, Salient Energy, Urban Electric Power, e-Zinc, ZAF Energy Systems, and AEsir Technologies, Inc.
