Energy Storage

Energy storage goes by lithium (Li) & hydrogen (H2)

"Bet on Li & H2 for short- & long-term energy storage approaches"

  

Worldwide energy generation systems are being pushed towards renewables (REN), which don’t come for free: they vary according to weather conditions and require a form of energy storage.  Energy storage can be short- or long-term.  Short-term energy storage applications, today and at least in this decade, is dominated by lithium-based techs, with sodium-based systems playing a smaller but growing role.  Future modular long-term energy storage will, among other solutions, rely on H₂ (and its derivatives), stored in compressed gaseous (CGH₂) or liquid (LH₂) form.

  

Li-ion

  

As the first alkali metal of the periodic table, Lithium (Li), a highly reactive element with the lowest density of all metals, rules the battery world. Currently, Li-ion batteries dominate both the EV battery market and stationary energy-storage applications (FTM & BTM). Global battery deployment exceeded 1.5 TWh in 2025, with EVs accounting for more than 70% and battery storage becoming an increasingly important source of demand.

  

Lithium demand has also risen sharply, increasing by about 25% per year over the past two years; the IEA projects total lithium demand to reach about 455 kt by 2030 under its STEPS scenario, more than twice the 2024 level.  This rapid growth is stimulating the development of alternative battery chemistries, including Sodium-ion (Na-ion or SIB).  A brief overlook of the Lithium supply chain can be found here.

  

However, Li-ion technology continues to advance rapidly rather than being displaced in the near term. LFP batteries now account for around 90% of global stationary-storage deployments, while LFP and other Li-ion chemistries continue to dominate EV applications.  At the same time, automakers and battery manufacturers in Japan, Korea, Europe and China are investing in next-generation techs, particularly solid-state while sodium-ion is emerging as a complementary lower-cost option.  China remains the dominant force in Li-ion manufacturing, while also scaling sodium-ion and pursuing solid-state techs.

  

Green H2

  

Hydrogen has emerged as an important part of the clean energy mix needed to ensure a sustainable development, especially if produced from the surplus of unconventional (solar & wind) and conventional (biomass) renewable energy sources (i.e., the "green hydrogen").  A brief overlook of the development of green hydrogen in South America can be found here.