New Water-Based Batteries Could Bring Clean Electricity to a Billion People
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📰 The quick summary: Alsym Energy developed safer, water-based batteries without lithium or cobalt that could bring electricity to a billion underserved people while enabling industrial-scale energy storage for renewable power.
📈 One key stat: A 20-foot container of Alsym batteries can store 1.7 megawatt-hours of electricity and support fast charging within four hours, making large-scale renewable energy storage more practical.
💬 One key quote: “To truly solve the decarbonization problem, we need affordable batteries that can be made anywhere,” says Kripa Varanasi, an MIT professor and Alsym co-founder.
1️⃣ The big picture: Alsym Energy has created a revolutionary battery technology that eliminates the safety risks of traditional lithium-ion batteries by using water-based electrolytes and readily available materials like manganese oxide. This innovation makes energy storage feasible for industrial settings where lithium batteries pose unacceptable fire hazards. The technology supports both renewable energy integration and industrial decarbonization while potentially bringing power to underserved communities worldwide. Unlike lithium batteries, these can be placed in chemical plants, steel mills, and other industrial facilities safely, opening up entirely new markets for clean energy storage.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: These non-flammable batteries can be installed more densely than lithium alternatives, reducing both physical footprint and installation costs while eliminating fire risks. The technology relies on abundant materials instead of scarce lithium and cobalt, avoiding supply chain constraints and mining concerns. Industrial emissions, which far outweigh those from passenger vehicles, can now be addressed through safe on-site energy storage solutions. Data centers powering AI and digital infrastructure can reduce their environmental impact with this safer storage option. Most importantly, the technology creates a path to provide electricity access for approximately one billion people currently living without reliable power.
3️⃣ What’s next: Alsym is currently conducting field tests with municipalities, utilities, and commercial power providers around the world. The company plans to scale up production beyond their current facility in Massachusetts. They’re also developing multiple battery chemistries on their platform to address different applications and further reduce reliance on any single material.
Read the full story here: The Brighter Side of News – Safer, low-cost alternative to lithium batteries could bring electricity to a billion underserved people
