Lithium: An energy transition element, its role in the future energy demand and carbon emissions mitigation strategy

Abstract

Energy transition elements (Li, Ni, Co, Fe, Cu) are gaining importance due to their ability to provide energy and play an important role as primary energy sources. Because of the energy density and power density, Li-ion batteries have the edge over other batteries. Li is distributed in various rock-forming minerals and brines, and geothermal waters. Though lithium-bearing minerals are spread over a broad geographic region, these minerals are confined to certain countries with substantial economic potential. Li is extensively used in batteries, and battery-driven vehicles are growing exponentially to meet the carbon reduction goal of the Paris agreement in 2015 and signed by more than 50 percent of the countries. Nearly 55 million cars supported by Li batteries are expected to roll out by 2030. While this is the demand, its occurrence and concentration/extraction processes are not keeping pace with this demand. The extraction of Li from its ore is an energy-intensive process involving many fossil fuel-based energies. To recover one ton of Li metal, nearly 5 to 6 tons of CO2 is emitted. The CO2 emissions of 28 kWh LFP, NMC, and LMO batteries vary from 5600 to 2705 kg CO2-eq. The end-of-life emissions of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle are 400 kg CO2/vehicle, while Li Battery supports 500 kg/vehicle. The quantity of Li required for a 24 kWh average capacity leaf battery is about 137 g/kWh. While emissions are associated with the manufacturing of the batteries, emissions are also associated with a way that while they are recharged as the recharging source is fossil fuel-based energy. The best option to meet zero net carbon emissions by 2050, as envisaged by International Energy Agency (IEA), is to recover Li from geothermal brines and use geothermal energy for recharging. While hydrothermal energy sources are site-specific, enhanced geothermal system (EGS) based geothermal energy is not site-specific and is found wherever high radiogenic granites are available. High radiogenic granites are widely distributed, and heat recovered from EGS sources can provide clean energy and heat. Extraction of lithium from geothermal waters and using geothermal energy for recharging the batteries will drastically reduce CO2 emissions. It will drive the world towards Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario in the future. This is being practiced in Turkey. Future research should develop technology to recover Li from geothermal fluids with low concentration and support EGS development. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd