This tutorial gives an overview of the materials selection and design in order to increase the energy density of batteries, extend the cycle life and enhance safety significantly. It targets the application of portable electronics and electric vehicles to grid-scale storage.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Si, Li metal, P Anodes, and S Cathodes for high-energy batteries
• Low-cost metal-H2 batteries for grid-scale storage
• Solid-state batteries
• Ideas to enhance battery safety

ABOUT THIS TUTORIAL:

Batteries have become daily use components for many applications. New growing segments like EV and grid storage batteries extend the traditional ordinary battery applications. In the race for energy density, we shouldn’t forget safety – as an example, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 battery safety case. Unfortunately, we face daily safety events with injuries and severe damage. This tutorial focuses on portable, stationary, and automotive battery safety along the battery cycle life (acceptance, testing, assembly, use, transportation, and disposal). The training incorporates Shmuel De-Leon’s and other experiences on battery safety representing over 26 years of work in the field. The motivation behind the training is to provide attendees with the knowledge needed to safely handle the batteries in their organization and to support reduction in safety events.

This tutorial will begin with an overview of Li-ion cell design for performance and manufacturability, including contrasting the performance and characteristics of commonly used materials. The tutorial will then lead to a detailed review of Li-ion cell manufacturing from incoming raw materials through final cell formation, aging, and shipment. Manufacturing processes, equipment, and production line costs will be contrasted for cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch cells. Samples of commonly used cell components will be displayed. Quality control procedures will be described for each step of the cell manufacturing process, including a discussion on how to optimize cell performance, yields, and safety. Attendees can expect to leave this tutorial with an understanding of how commercial Li-ion cells are designed and produced.

ABOUT THIS TUTORIAL:

As the world’s biggest EDV market, Chinese xEV industry has become the most important pioneering target. However, specially planned economy, localized regulations, and multiple business models exist and make international companies’ decision-making more difficult. Therefore, this tutorial will try to provide a whole picture of the Chinese EDV battery market including policies & regulation, future forecasts, competitive analysis, battery technology strategies, upstream supply chain, and positioning for foreign enterprises.

In this tutorial lecture, the development of state-of-the-art solid state Li-ion and Na-ion electrolytes for all-solid state batteries with emphasis on ionic conductivity and chemical and electrochemical stabilities will be discussed.

A 90-minute deep-dive and Q&A with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence analysts into the lithium, cobalt, and graphite anodes. A raw material evolution in the way these specialty chemicals and mined, processed, and sold – with the emergence of exchange-traded models and long-term contracts – is occurring. Here Benchmark breaks down the supply chain for each of these raw materials - their challenges and opportunities. There will be individual dedicated presentations on the supply chains for lithium, cobalt, and graphite anode.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

The key challenges in the use of silicon-based anodes as well as progress in implementation of silicon and what can we expect in the future. The latest improvements in other battery components are required to maximize the benefit of silicon-based anodes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and international transport agencies continue to consider new and more restrictive requirements associated with the transport Lithium-ion batteries, battery-powered equipment, and electric vehicles. In addition, the International Code Council and National Fire Protection Association have for the first time adopted new requirements associated with the storage of Lithium-ion (and Lithium metal) batteries that will impact many industries including, but not limited to, manufacturers, recyclers, and retailers. This workshop will provide participants an opportunity to hear about these latest developments and discuss how the industry is developing best practices on the storage of Lithium-ion batteries.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

Factors that impact successful commercialization of battery materials. Technological feasibility versus economic practicality. Market need/company capability intersection. Technoeconomic analysis methodology, focusing on the critical early stages of a project where product design and process chemistry and development occur amid significant technical and economic uncertainty.

BESS are the backbone for the efficient and reliable use of fluctuating, renewable energy sources in power grids. They can be used in behind-the-meter energy supply systems as well as in utility-scale applications. For successful projects, risks on a technical and economical level have to be considered and are addressed by quality assurance measures, which have to include safety, reliability and performance as well as the impact of aging mechanisms.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Overview stationary battery storage applications   ​* Residential storage systems   * C&I storage systems   * District storage systems   * Utility-scale storage systems (stand-alone and coupled with PV parks)
• Bankability, investability, insurability
• Risks: Classification and definition-
• Aging mechanisms of lithium-ion battery cells: Introduction and impac
• Key factors:   * Safety   * Reliability   * Performance (efficiency and effectiveness)
  
• Examples from laboratory and field experiences
  

Application of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) in electrified transportation and renewable grid is growing at a very fast pace for decarbonization of the passenger vehicles by 2035. Due to the characteristics of current LIB technologies, although rare, there is potential for thermal runaway and fires as seen by recent fires in Tesla Model S, Chevy Bolt, and grid storage system in an Arizona Utility. Increased severity of fire incidents with more advanced energy dense LIBs, especially cathodes with higher Ni and anodes with silicon or lithium, is expected. In this tutorial/seminar we will: 1.) discuss fundamental causes for safety issues leading to thermal runway and fire, 2.) review abuse behavior of cells and packs through characterization, testing, and modeling/simulations, 3.) provide overview of approaches that could reduce safety risks and detect impending failures, and 4.) provide references as a resource for accessing more information. This tutorial/seminar is provided by Dr. Ahmad Pesaran with 25+ years’ experience in lithium-ion battery R&D&D including safety testing and modeling with perspectives of his participation at USABC Technical Advisory Committee. He will provide the audience with information and understanding needed to handle Li-ion battery safety in both their work at their companies and in products they deliver to the market.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:   

• LIB Applications 
• ​LIB Introduction 
   a.    Battery Fundamentals
   b.    Battery Chemistries
   c.    Cell Designs 
• LIB Safety and Abuse
   a.    LIB Fires 
   b.    Instigators for Thermal Runaway
   c.    Battery Abuse Characterization and Testing Equipment 
   d.    Battery Abuse Modeling/Simulation Tools 
• Approaches for Designing Safer Cells and Modules – Recent Progress 
• EV Pack and System Safety 
• Remarks on Safe Handling of LIBs 
• Summary
  

ABOUT THIS TUTORIAL:

This tutorial will give an overview of battery systems design. An overall product development process will be discussed for a typical system. Design aspects of each individual subsystem will be explored with cost impacts of different design choices. Testing, validation, and designing for safety will be other key areas of discussion.

This is tutorial will take an in-depth look at sustainability in the context of lithium-ion and related batteries. The production of batteries, driven by the large applications of electrified transportation and storage systems for grid-related applications is increasing rapidly. Building a “giga factory” can happen in a fraction of the time it takes to find an appropriate location and start mining and smelting operations. We must necessarily track the sustainability of the industry. We will look at cradle to grave (e.g., mineral mines to waste/recycling/reuse) following the raw materials through the production of precursors, battery materials, and batteries. We will look at the economic, environmental, and societal impacts and look for ways we can do things better.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Sustainability defined
  ​- What it is and what it isn’t
  - How do we look at it in the context of batteries?
• The landscape of battery raw materials
  - Examples: Li, F, P, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Al, Si, C
  - How much is needed per GWh?
  - Summary of their sources, modes of acquisition, environmental, economic, and societal impact
  - Impact to indigenous populations near mineral sources
• Mining and transportation
  - Costs
  - Energy consumption
        * Energy types used
  - Process water consumed
  - Yields
  - Use of secondary materials and wastes
  - Atmospheric impact
• Refinement and production of battery material precursors
  - Process improvements
  - Yields
  - Energy consumption
  - Process water consumed
  - Waste streams
• Production of battery components
  - Dry cathode and anode materials
  - Coated cathode and anode
            * NMP use and recovery
            * Solvent / binder-free systems
            * Effect of using artificial SEI and SCEI approaches
  - Electrolyte production
            * Liquid organic systems
            * Liquid inorganic systems
            * Solid polymer electrolytes
            * Other solid-state electrolytes