Demand for energy storage continues to rise and lithium-ion batteries are a common choice. However, due to prices, safety and energy storage, many substitutes such as lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur batteries have been surfacing. In addition, US-based GF has been promoting sodium-nickel halide batteries.
Firms have been focusing on the previous generation of battery technologies such as flow and liquid metal batteries due to increasing demand for energy storage for the electricity grid, according to Digitimes Research. In the past, these types of batteries were not suitable to install into mobile devices and automobiles due to characteristics such as size and the fact that the batteries cannot be shaken. However, these batteries are suitable energy storage methods for fixed installations.
Despite the regained popularity, battery technologies still face competition from low price natural gas. Hence, it is more likely for the battery technologies to develop in regions where prices of natural gas are higher.
