The Risks of Lithium Technology (Part 2)

In Part 1 we examined the history and engineering behind Lithium battery technology and drew comparisons between alternative technologies in use today. In part 2 we will explore the impacts of Lithium technology on society.

Economics at the Wheel

All too often, social hardship triggers technological innovation.  So, it’s no wonder that despite the current global economic turn down, many remain optimistic of emerging lithium ion technology as a fitting surrogate to wean us from our oil dependency and usher in an era of sustainability. Since being introduced to the market in the early 1990s, production of lithium ion batteries has increased 4-5% per year resulting in a 6 billion dollar market as of 2008 [305].  At the same time, the conventional lead acid battery market, driven primarily by the automotive sector, is estimated to be a staggering 40 billion dollar industry by comparison, of which lithium is poised to replace.

The Risks of Lithium-Ion Technology (Part 1)

No one can argue the impact battery technology has had on society; ushering in an era or portability and mobility like never before, all the while helping to spark a green revolution, and empower people with tools and ideas for a sustainable future. What’s more, emerging lithium ion technology provides significantly faster charge, longer life, and designers in the U.S. have managed to configure large lithium ion batteries for mass production and ensure they are long-lasting and safe for the auto industry.

Risks seemingly mitigated, recent incentives and regulation will surely mean a boon for lithium technology, however, social, environmental, and political debates rage on between the Middle East, South America and the United States over control of lithium and oil resources.  Furthermore, a growing global dependency on oil, coupled with the countless trillions oil producers stand to lose should lithium ion replace oil only serve to create new geopolitical tensions and promote false claims, rather than help abate existing ones.

In the course of two articles, we will discuss these issues as they pertain to emerging Lithium-Ion technologies, examine the history and engineering behind such inventions, and draw comparisons between alternative battery technologies in use today. These papers will explore the functionality of lithium batteries and investigate the pros and cons of different technologies as they relate, and aim to shed light on the associated social and environmental risks.