- Joined
- Dec 2, 2015
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- 21,870
There’s an argument that lithium batteries with cobalt and nickel are actually better for the overall lifecycle because the elements have $ value for recycling. Lithium Iron Phosphate, LFP, batteries one might have to pay for them to be recycled. Don’t know where that stands.There were/are some community solar projects in Texas. Basically individual investors can buy into solar farms - individuals are limited to some % of their home usage (ie you cannot buy more community solar than you consume). I suspect that battery farms will be coming next. I do not think that Lithium ion should be the go to battery for these. They should use more sustainable/cheaper materials where battery size/weight is not a problem. These sorts of batteries are in development. Iron/air is one contender. There are others.
EV batteries can also supplement, but long term feels like a bad idea. Bulkier, cheaper, more environmentally friendly batteries should be used wherever portability is not a driver.
The irony in unregulated Texas is wind, solar, batteries, are killing fossils on cost. Now Texas legislators want to spend billions to protect natural gas.