Comment by WaltYoder
2 days ago
For grid-level solar energy, we will need batteries that cycle at least 200 times per year. A system that requires replacing batteries every 5 years can't really be described as "renewable energy".
2 days ago
For grid-level solar energy, we will need batteries that cycle at least 200 times per year. A system that requires replacing batteries every 5 years can't really be described as "renewable energy".
As long as "replace" includes "take the old batteries and turn them into raw materials for making new batteries" it definitely can.
Typical issues with old batteries are things like dendrite growth. There's nothing wrong with the materials that went into making the battery, they've just reshaped themselves into an unfortunate spiky structure.