Next-Generation Electrochemical Technologies for Energy Conversion and Storage

Abstract

Electrochemical cells and systems play a key role in a wide range of industry sectors. These devices are critical enabling technologies for renewable energy; energy management, conservation, and storage; pollution control and monitoring; and greenhouse gas reduction. A large number of electrochemical energy technologies have been developed in the past. These systems continue to be optimized in terms of cost, lifetime, and performance, leading to their continued expansion into existing and emerging market sectors. The more established technologies, such as deep-cycle batteries and sensors, are being joined by emerging technologies such as fuel cells, large-format lithium-ion batteries, electrochemical reactors, ion transport membranes, and supercapacitors. This growing demand (a multi-billion dollar market) for electrochemical energy systems, along with the increasing maturity of a number of these technologies, is having a significant effect on the global research and development effort, which is increasing in both size and depth. A number of new technologies, which will have a substantial impact on the environment and the way we produce and utilize energy, are under development. This paper presents an overview of several emerging electrochemical energy technologies along with a discussion of some of the key technical challenges.