Does grid energy storage have a supply chain resilience?

This report provides an overview of the supply chain resilience associated with several grid energy storage technologies. It provides a map of each technology’s supply chain, from the extraction of raw materials to the production of batteries or other storage systems, and discussion of each supply chain step.

What is a battery supply chain?

The status of the United States in each segment is highlighted. As noted earlier, five of the technologies evaluated are batteries. In general, battery supply chains encompass raw material procurement, refining, component manufacturing (electrodes, electrolytes, and separators), end-use products, and recycling.

Why is a secure supply chain important?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes that a secure, resilient supply chain will be critical in harnessing emissions outcomes and capturing the economic opportunity inherent in the energy sector transition. Potential vulnerabilities and risks to the energy sector industrial base must be addressed throughout every stage of this transition.

Do flow batteries have a supply chain?

Flow batteries have the same supply chain segments as the other battery technologies: raw materials, refined materials, subcomponents, product, and end of life. Given the material abundance and existing supply chains for the metals needed in flow batteries, additional RDD&CA could diversify the supply chain for grid energy storage options.

What is a unit for energy storage?

1 Units for energy storage are generally expressed in terms of the maximum amount of energy, e.g., watt-hours that can be made available over a specified amount of time (e.g., 2 hours), as the device is not generating energy but merely storing it for later use.

What are the barriers to energy storage?

An additional barrier is the difficulty in obtaining capital due to the lack of “Tier 1” suppliers or standardization of offerings and long-term off-take contracts, especially for standalone energy storage [ (Plautz, 2021); (Walters, 2021)].