Carbon Footprint Comparison: Battery Storage vs. Renewable Energy
Overview
Battery storage systems, particularly those used to store energy from renewable sources like solar and wind, play a crucial role in reducing the overall carbon footprint of energy production. However, the manufacturing of batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, has its own environmental impact.
Carbon Footprint of Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy: The carbon footprint of solar energy is generally very low, typically around 50 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or less over its lifetime. Photovoltaic panels can have a slightly higher carbon footprint when combined with battery storage, around 116 g CO2 per kWh.
- Wind Energy: Wind power similarly has a low carbon footprint of about 50 g CO2 per kWh or less. When energy from wind is stored in batteries, the footprint increases slightly to about 82.2 g CO2 per kWh.
Carbon Footprint of Battery Storage
- Manufacturing Impact: The manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used for energy storage, contributes significantly to their overall carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of manufacturing is about 89 kg CO2 per kWh of battery capacity.
- Lifecycle Impact: Despite the manufacturing footprint, lithium-ion batteries are considered more climate-friendly compared to alternatives like fossil fuels. Over their lifecycle, batteries can offer benefits by stabilizing the energy grid and supporting the integrations of renewable sources.
Comparison
| Technology | Carbon Footprint (g CO2/kWh) |
|---|---|
| Solar (without storage) | Around 50 |
| Solar with Battery Storage | Around 116 |
| Wind (without storage) | Around 50 |
| Wind with Battery Storage | Around 82.2 |
| Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing | Significant, about 89 kg/MWh for manufacturing |
Overall, while battery storage adds to the carbon footprint when combined with renewable energy, the overall emissions remain significantly lower than those from fossil fuels. This supports the transition towards renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-carbon-footprint-of-battery-storage-compare-to-renewable-energy-sources-like-solar-or-wind/
