Key Challenges for Grid‐Scale Lithium‐Ion Battery Energy Storage

Abstract A rapid transition in the energy infrastructure is crucial when irreversible damages are happening quickly in the next decade due to global climate change. It is believed that a practical strategy for decarbonization would be 8 h of lithium‐ion battery (LIB) electrical energy storage paired with wind/solar energy generation, and using existing fossil fuels facilities as backup. To reach the hundred terawatt‐hour scale LIB storage, it is argued that the key challenges are fire safety and recycling, instead of capital cost, battery cycle life, or mining/manufacturing challenges. A short overview of the ongoing innovations in these two directions is provided.