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Europe wants to become more independent and massively expand battery production – but that comes at a high price. The production of battery cells alone could result in additional electricity requirements in the three-digit terawatt-hour range by 2050.
To ensure the success of the energy transition, renewable energies should be expanded enormously in the coming years. But both wind and solar energy are subject to strong fluctuations.
In order to compensate for these fluctuations and ensure electricity supply even at night or when there is no wind, it will also be essential to set up a large storage network. But battery capacity will also be needed for the electrification of road transport in the future.
However, the production of the currently predominant lithium-ion batteries is particularly dependent on critical raw materials and global supply chains. In order to be able to reduce these dependencies and bottlenecks, efforts are growing to relocate supply chains to Europe.
Researchers at the University of Münster and the Fraunhofer Battery Cell Research Facility have now calculated what relocating battery production to Europe would mean for electricity consumption.
This is how much electricity European battery production requires
The EU wants in the field of battery production become more independent. Imports in particular should be reduced. By 2030, ten percent of important raw materials, such as lithium or nickel, should come from domestic resources.
In addition, the EU has stipulated that 90 percent of the batteries and storage devices used in Europe should come from EU production. To this end, the recycling rate should also increase, which should cover a quarter of the annual raw material requirements.
However, all of these projects will significantly boost energy demand. If European battery production actually works independently by 2050, according to the research results, 250 terawatt hours of electricity will be required.
This number will apply annually from 2038, but only if the recycling infrastructure is significantly expanded in the coming years. The number is currently just 3.5 terawatt hours.
Calculation basis for electricity consumption
For their calculation, the scientists assumed that around 140 million electric cars will be registered in the EU by 2050. For comparison: in 2024 there were around 55.8 million electric cars worldwide approved.
In addition to the electricity required for battery production, there will be an additional requirement of between 200 and 250 terawatt hours annually for charging electric vehicles.
At the same time, however, according to the researchers, around 90 terawatt hours that are currently needed for the extraction and processing of fossil fuels will be lost. Overall, from 2040 onwards, between 450 and 500 terawatt hours of electricity will be required for the use of electric vehicles and for stationary energy storage.
In addition, the researchers assumed large-scale battery storage with a capacity of 160 gigawatt hours for their calculations. In particular, the extraction of raw materials such as lithium, nickel or cobalt will significantly boost energy demand in Europe. Mining and refineries could initially account for almost half of the total energy requirement.
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The post This is how much electricity European battery production will need in the future appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage solutions in Europe will drive significant growth in battery production in the coming years. This will undoubtedly require a substantial amount of electricity to power the manufacturing process.
It is crucial for European countries to prioritize sustainable and renewable sources of electricity to meet the energy needs of the growing battery production industry. This will not only help reduce carbon emissions but also ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply for manufacturers.
Investing in clean energy infrastructure and technologies, such as solar and wind power, will be essential to support the expansion of battery production while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, implementing energy-efficient practices and technologies within manufacturing facilities can help reduce overall electricity consumption.
Overall, the future of European battery production will rely heavily on access to a reliable and sustainable energy supply. It is imperative for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and energy providers to work together to ensure that the growth of the battery industry aligns with the goals of a clean and sustainable energy future.
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