How do the greenhouse gas emissions of lithium-ion batteries compare to those of pumped hydroelectric storage

Lithium-ion Batteries and Pumped Hydroelectric Storage

Lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydroelectric storage differ significantly in their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profiles, though direct comparisons are challenging due to differing life-cycle stages and operational characteristics:

Lithium-ion Batteries

Manufacturing Emissions:
- Range: ~55–124.5 kg CO₂eq/kWh depending on chemistry and region.
  - LFP (lithium iron phosphate): ~55 kg CO₂eq/kWh.
  - Nickel-based chemistries: Higher due to energy-intensive cathode production (e.g., NMC/NCA).
- Contributing Factors:
  - Lithium mining: Emits ~15 tons CO₂ per ton of lithium mined via hard rock methods.
  - Energy-intensive production: China’s coal-dominated grid (~60% coal) exacerbates emissions during cell manufacturing.
Operational Emissions:
- Electric vehicle context: Zero tailpipe emissions, but upstream grid cleanliness affects net impact.
- Grid storage: Cycling efficiency (~85–95%) reduces renewable curtailment, but manufacturing remains the largest emissions source.

Pumped Hydro Storage

Emissions Profile:
- Construction: Concrete and steel production for dams/reservoirs generate CO₂, but emissions are front-loaded and amortized over decades of operation.
- Operation: Near-zero emissions during storage cycles, relying on pumped water and gravity-driven generation.
- Lifecycle Analysis: Studies suggest 10–30 g CO₂eq/kWh over a 30–50 year lifespan, though regional grid mix during construction heavily influences outcomes.

Key Differences

Aspect	Lithium-ion Batteries	Pumped Hydro Storage
Primary Emissions Source	Mineral mining, cathode production, manufacturing	Concrete/steel production for infrastructure
Operational Emissions	Near-zero (depends on grid)	Near-zero
Lifetime Emissions	Higher per kWh (55–125 kg CO₂eq/kWh)	Lower per kWh (10–30 g CO₂eq/kWh)*

Note: Pumped hydro estimates are generalized from industry literature, as specific data was absent in provided sources. Actual values vary based on project size and location.

Summary

Lithium-ion batteries have orders-of-magnitude higher GHG emissions per kWh during manufacturing compared to pumped hydro’s operational phase. However, pumped hydro requires specific geography and has ecological tradeoffs (e.g., habitat disruption), while batteries offer flexible, scalable storage. Transitioning to low-carbon electricity during battery production could narrow this gap.

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