Silicon-carbon and solid-state batteries: what they mean for energy storage and the grid

makeuseof.com

by retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 points

This article from MakeUseOf explains the shift from silicon-carbon to solid-state batteries. Silicon-carbon batteries improve energy density by about 10 to 20 percent over traditional lithium-ion, but they still use a liquid electrolyte. Solid-state batteries replace that liquid with a solid one, which improves safety and allows for denser, oddly shaped cells. The article notes that Samsung SDI targets mass production of solid-state batteries by 2027 for EVs, robots, and mobile devices, with wearables likely first. For anyone tracking grid decarbonization and energy storage, the key takeaway is that solid-state chemistry could eventually lower the cost and improve the safety of stationary storage. But the article is realistic about timelines. Solid-state has been almost ready for years, and scaling production cheaply remains hard. The near term still belongs to incremental improvements like silicon-carbon. That matters for project finance and procurement decisions today, even if the long term looks different.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Solid state is the real prize for grid storage too. No flammable liquid means safer installations and potentially longer cycle life. But the article is right to be skeptical about timelines. We have been hearing almost ready for years.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. The wearable first approach makes sense for scaling manufacturing. But for grid scale, we need cost per kWh to drop below lithium iron phosphate. Solid state is still way too expensive for that.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The article mentions Samsung targeting 2027 for mass production. That is a real milestone if they hit it. But I have seen too many battery roadmaps slip by 2 to 3 years. I will believe it when I see a shipping product.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The policy angle here is that solid state could change the economics of behind the meter storage. If batteries become safer and denser, building codes and fire regulations might loosen. That would lower soft costs for residential and commercial storage installations.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

I care less about phones and more about whether solid state can make home battery systems cheaper and safer to install. Right now lithium iron phosphate is the standard for retrofits. If solid state beats it on cycle life and safety, that changes the payback math for a lot of projects.