Can K-Na/S batteries save energy?

In a new study recently published by Nature Communications, the team used K-Na/S batteries that combine inexpensive, readily-found elements — potassium (K) and sodium (Na), together with sulfur (S) — to create a low-cost, high-energy solution for long-duration energy storage.

Could new batteries provide a reliable power supply?

If they are successful, these new batteries could provide a stable and reliable power supply from renewable sources, even during times of low sun or wind. The team is now working on optimizing the electrolyte composition.

Could a new energy source make batteries more powerful?

Columbia Engineers have developed a new, more powerful “fuel” for batteries—an electrolyte that is not only longer-lasting but also cheaper to produce. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are essential for the future of our planet, but they face a major hurdle: they don’t consistently generate power when demand is high.

What is a K-Na/s battery?

Columbia Engineering scientists are advancing renewable energy storage by developing cost-effective K-Na/S batteries that utilize common materials to store energy more efficiently, aiming to stabilize energy supply from intermittent renewable sources.

Can a new battery design save money?

“It is already competitive with incumbent technologies, and it can save a lot of the cost and pain and environmental issues related to mining the metals that currently go into batteries,” said Mircea Dincă, the W.M. Keck Professor of Energy at MIT, referring to the new design.

Can battery storage help us reach net-zero emissions?

Innovation is powering the global switch from fossil fuels to clean energy, with new battery storage solutions that can help us reach net-zero emissions.