The energy density of solid-state batteries (SSBs) is substantially higher than that of traditional lithium-ion batteries, offering significant advantages for applications like electric vehicles.
Energy Density Comparison
- Traditional Lithium-Ion Batteries:
These generally have energy densities below 300 Wh/kg at the cell level, with common commercial values around 270 Wh/kg for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. - Solid-State Batteries:
Solid-state batteries can exceed 350 Wh/kg, with some advanced technologies reaching around 360 Wh/kg and even up to 500 Wh/kg as demonstrated by Samsung SDI’s oxide solid-state battery. This means SSBs can offer nearly double the energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion chemistries. - Theoretical and Practical Limits:
Some claims suggest theoretical energy densities of solid-state batteries could reach as high as 1,000 Wh/kg (1 kWh/kg), which is approximately 3-4 times higher than current lithium-ion batteries. More optimistic theoretical limits even mention up to 11 kWh/kg, but practical realizations remain far lower than that.
Benefits of Higher Energy Density in Solid-State Batteries
- Increased Range and Compactness:
Higher energy density means batteries can store more energy in the same weight or volume, enabling longer driving ranges for EVs without increasing battery size or weight. - Weight Reduction:
Because solid-state batteries can achieve the same energy with less material, they can reduce battery pack weight by up to 30% for a given energy capacity, improving vehicle efficiency. - Safer and More Durable:
Solid electrolytes eliminate flammable liquid electrolytes, reducing fire risks. They also enable longer cycle life (up to 8,000–10,000 cycles compared to 1,500–2,000 cycles for lithium-ion), further enhancing battery longevity and sustainability.
In summary, solid-state batteries currently show energy densities approximately 20–80% higher than traditional lithium-ion batteries, with some advanced prototypes nearly doubling energy density (up to 500 Wh/kg). Future improvements could push this gap even further, making SSBs a transformative technology in energy storage.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-energy-density-of-solid-state-batteries-compare-to-traditional-lithium-ion-batteries/
