| Title |
Sustainable energy storage for solar home systems in rural Sub-Saharan Africa - A comparative examination of lifecycle aspects of battery technologies for circular economy, with emphasis on the South African context |
| ID_Doc |
28413 |
| Authors |
Charles, RG; Davies, ML; Douglas, P; Hallin, IL; Mabbett, I |
| Title |
Sustainable energy storage for solar home systems in rural Sub-Saharan Africa - A comparative examination of lifecycle aspects of battery technologies for circular economy, with emphasis on the South African context |
| Year |
2019 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.energy.2018.10.053 |
| Abstract |
Photovoltaics (PV) are increasingly important for electrification in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, but what is the best battery technology to use? To explore this question, a small-scale domestic PV system for South Africa (20-year lifetime) to deliver 1.42 kWh electricity from batteries overnight with 10-h discharge was costed with various Li-ion, Pb-acid and Aquion aqueous hybrid ion batteries (AHIBs). Environmental impact; compatibility with circular economy; potential for cost-reduction through lifetime extension; and valorisation of batteries at end-of-life is discussed. Batteries are 81-93% of system costs, and battery production required over the system lifetime would emit 743, 674 and 6060 kg CO2-eq (Pb-acid, Li-ion and AHIBs respectively). Hazardous materials in Li-ion and Pb-acid batteries pose risks at end-of-life. Li-ion and AHIBs face potential resource supply constraints due to use of Co, Li and graphite. Closed-loop recycling and refurbishment of Pb-acid batteries is well established in South Africa. Currently, no African facilities for Li-ion or AHIB recycling exist, with little opportunity to retain material value from these batteries within the region. Despite lower efficiencies and shorter lifetimes, Pb-acid batteries, which are readily available from domestic manufacturing at low cost, are the current best choice for sustainable small-scale domestic PV systems in South Africa. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. |
| Author Keywords |
Solar energy; Batteries; Circular economy; Critical materials; Africa; End-of-life |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (CPCI-S) |
| EID |
WOS:000455694300096 |
| WoS Category |
Thermodynamics; Energy & Fuels |
| Research Area |
Thermodynamics; Energy & Fuels |
| PDF |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.10.053
|