With the further development of the energy storage industry, the high-capacity development of energy storage power stations has brought about improvements in economic benefits. The capacity of energy storage batteries has also become larger and larger, but with it comes more severe safety challenges. Energy storage Safety issues in the industry have also attracted widespread attention.

How to crack security risks and improve the safety performance of energy storage power stations? In the context of the rapid development of new energy vehicles, portable electronic devices, large-scale energy storage systems and other fields, solid-state batteries, as a new energy storage technology with great potential, have the advantages of high energy density, high safety, and long cycle life. , are rapidly emerging, and the commercialization process is suddenly accelerating. Will solid-state batteries become the new darling of the energy storage market?

01 Solid-state batteries and energy storage

Solid-state battery is a new type of battery that uses solid electrolyte to replace the electrolyte in traditional lithium-ion batteries. Its positive electrode, negative electrode and electrolyte are all solid. This characteristic gives it higher energy density, stronger safety and stability sex. In addition, solid-state batteries show better working stability in high and low temperature environments, extending the cycle life of the battery and reducing the full life cycle cost.

Although solid-state batteries are still in the early stages of commercialization, the global R&D race has entered a feverish stage. Governments, scientific research institutions, and large enterprises from various countries have increased investment and accelerated the research and development and industrialization process of solid-state battery technology through in-depth integration of industry, academia, and research.

In terms of application, solid-state batteries are suitable for various energy storage devices, such as household energy storage systems, industrial energy storage power stations, etc. Their high stability and long life characteristics help to reduce energy storage costs and improve energy utilization efficiency.

Under the requirements of higher safety and energy density, domestic solid-state batteries have already begun to enter the field of energy storage. In January 2019, the solid-state high-safety energy storage battery team of the Institute of Energy Storage and New Electrical Technology of China Electric Power Research Institute Co., Ltd. developed a solid-state high-safety energy storage lithium battery, which solved the problem of battery fire. Production has started and will be used in MWh energy storage container demonstration project.

02 Solid-state batteries have obvious advantages

High energy density: Compared with traditional liquid lithium batteries, solid-state batteries have a higher theoretical energy density thanks to a higher electrochemical window that can match high-energy cathode materials and metallic lithium anodes.

High safety performance: The safety hazards of liquid batteries are mainly due to the liquid electrolyte. Solid-state batteries are replaced with solid electrolytes, which have stronger thermal stability and greatly reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion and explosion.

Low battery weight: Solid-state batteries do not require electrolytes and separators, which can simplify packaging, cooling systems, etc. The weight and volume of the overall battery pack can be reduced, improving battery life.

From the perspective of development prospects, solid-state battery technology can be matched with new materials with higher activity and gram capacity, and is the most likely energy storage technology to achieve large-scale application in the next few years. However, in the process of technological development, it still faces some challenges. On the one hand, the technical threshold is high, and on the other hand, the cost of materials is high.

However, the development of technology usually follows a clear trajectory starting from theoretical exploration, through laboratory verification, to product development, and finally to commercialization. The cost problem of solid-state batteries is also expected to be solved in the future as technology advances.

03 Prospects of solid-state batteries

From the perspective of the industry, "solid-state batteries" are undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching issues at the moment. It is widely regarded as the leader in next-generation battery technology. It has not only been included in the development strategies of major countries and regions such as China, the United States, Japan and South Korea, but also has become the core high ground in the competition for next-generation battery technology.

At present, overseas markets have taken the lead in developing and deploying all-solid-state batteries. Countries are striving to achieve commercialization as soon as possible and vigorously promote the implementation of technology with financial subsidies.

Japan: Japanese manufacturers generally deploy solid-state batteries early, usually in the form of joint research and development between companies and institutions, focusing on sulfide solid-state electrolytes. Representative manufacturers include Toyota, Panasonic, Nissan and other companies. Japan has established a joint research and development system between car companies and battery manufacturers, with government funding support exceeding 200 billion yen (approximately 10 billion yuan), striving to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2030, with an energy density target of 500Wh/kg.

South Korea: The research model is mainly based on the company's own research and external cooperation. The technical route is concentrated on the sulfide system. The battery cell development speed is slower than that of Japan. However, Korean companies continue to develop positive and negative electrode materials and are expected to quickly establish a supply of solid-state battery materials. Chain, leading manufacturers include Samsung SDI, LG, SKI and other companies. In addition, the government provides tax credits to support solid-state battery research and development, and is jointly promoted by power battery giants. The goal is to develop commercial technology with an energy density of 400Wh/kg in 2025-2028 and complete vehicle installation in 2030.

United States: Start-ups are popular and the commercialization process is rapid. Focusing on promoting the localization of the electric vehicle industry chain, it has a large number of solid-state battery start-up companies, focusing on innovation, with the main purpose of rapid financing and listing. The technical paths are mostly polymer electrolytes and oxide electrolytes, and the commercialization process is relatively fast. Representative manufacturers For Solid Power, SES, Quantum Scape, etc.

04 Enterprise layout

1. Ningde era

CATL focuses on the R&D, production and sales of new energy vehicle power battery systems and energy storage systems. It also has deep accumulation and core technologies in the fields of battery materials, battery recycling and reuse, battery management systems, and intelligent manufacturing equipment. Currently, CATL has been taking the lead in solid-state battery technology research and development, paying attention to different solid-state electrolyte technology routes such as oxides, sulfides, and polymers, and increasing investment in research and development.

2. Yiwei Lithium Energy

Yiwei Lithium Energy not only continues to consolidate its market position in the traditional battery business, but also actively deploys cutting-edge battery technology. Currently, Yiwei Lithium Energy has carried out in-depth layout and research and development of solid-state battery technology. Its solid-state battery products adopt all-solid-state thin-film soft-pack battery technology prepared with halide electrolytes, and are committed to improving energy density, safety and cycle life to meet the needs of Market demand for higher standards in the future.

3.Ganfeng Lithium Industry

In the field of solid-state batteries, Ganfeng Lithium actively carries out the research and development and industrialization of solid-state batteries, and is committed to solving key technical problems of solid-state batteries, including the research and development of solid-state electrolytes, optimization of electrode materials, and integration of battery systems, with a view to achieving greater success in the future. Seize the opportunity in the new energy vehicle and energy storage markets.

4. Hive Energy

Since its establishment, Honeycomb Energy has actively invested in the R&D and production of multiple technical routes such as ternary NCM, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), cobalt-free batteries and solid-state batteries. It is one of the first companies in the world to achieve large-scale mass production of cobalt-free batteries. In the field of solid-state batteries, Honeycomb Energy launched its second-generation jelly battery, the world's first prismatic semi-solid battery, in 2023. It uses second-generation jelly electrolyte technology and integrated composite cathode technology, which significantly improves safety and energy density.

5. Guoxuan Hi-Tech

In the field of solid-state batteries, Guoxuan Hi-Tech is committed to the research and development of solid-state battery materials, solid-state electrolyte membranes, solid-state battery cells and battery systems, striving to solve key technical problems of solid-state batteries and improve the energy density, safety and cycle life of batteries. Currently, Guoxuan Hi-Tech’s solid-state batteries have an energy density of 260Wh/kg and 160KWh ternary semi-solid battery packs have been installed in vehicles. The 360Wh/kg ternary semi-solid battery will be mass-produced in 2024.

Looking to the future, with the continuous advancement of technology and the rapid development of the industry, solid-state batteries are expected to achieve large-scale applications in various fields. Especially in the electric vehicle market, solid-state batteries will become an important force in promoting industry development. At the same time, the energy storage equipment and portable equipment markets will also usher in the widespread application of solid-state batteries.