Battery technology has changed a lot over the years and is still evolving as companies search for more energy-efficient and cost-effective ways. However, one recent change to batteries’ chemical compositions is not based solely on improving battery performance. Many battery companies have begun to move away from using cobalt in their batteries, which used to be an essential metal for maintaining stability and improving efficiency. Why are companies kicking cobalt out of their battery designs? Keep reading to find out.
Ethical Issues
The majority of cobalt on the market is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where questionable mining practices are still being used. These tactics are extremely harmful to the environment, contributing to severe deforestation in the habitats of endangered species like gorillas. In addition, many humanitarian issues are involved in the mining of cobalt, such as mistreatment of workers, unhealthy work conditions, and even child labor.
Many companies have chosen to reduce or eliminate their dependence on cobalt due to these issues and a desire to find a more sustainable material to use in their batteries. After all, solar energy is all about preserving the environment, so why would you use an environmentally unfriendly metal to make a solar battery?
Scarcity
Cobalt is also a relatively scarce material. As already mentioned, it’s primarily only found in one area in the entire world—which means it’s quite expensive. Expensive materials mean more expensive batteries and solar companies are constantly looking for ways to reduce the cost of their equipment and stay competitive in a booming industry. By cutting out cobalt and using a more affordable metal, battery prices have dropped in recent years and become more accessible to the average homeowner.
Improved Efficiency
As already mentioned, cobalt contributed to battery efficiency, so innovators weren’t necessarily moving away from the material to improve efficiency. However, it’s been a nice side effect that benefits everyone. It took years of development, but researchers have begun to find various combinations that equaled or even exceeded cobalt-based batteries in terms of performance.
While it’s still a work in progress, the initial efforts have been very promising. For example, the SonnenCore Smart Energy Storage System uses cobalt-free batteries that are long-lasting, efficient, and guaranteed for 10,000 battery cycles. This level of performance is quite exceptional, and as research continues into this area of solar batteries, researchers will likely develop even more efficient cobalt-free batteries in the years to come.
