Countries around the world are developing political strategies in the field of battery technology and adapting them to global changes. In this context, a new study conducted by Fraunhofer ISI, commissioned by BMBF, analyzes various policies and goals regarding three areas of battery technology research: lithium-ion, solid-state, and alternative batteries. The report highlights the following countries: Japan, South Korea, China, USA, Europe, and Germany.
Europe must continue to make progress in the decarbonization of the energy and transportation sectors. The European battery ecosystem, with scaled production and circular supply chains, can contribute to achieving this goal. However, this development is influenced by international crises, and existing alliances are being put to the test, which means that access to key technologies is becoming increasingly significant. All these aspects must be considered when developing battery ecosystems, which are currently being developed in many countries, such as Germany and the entire European Union.
In this context, international analysis of different battery policy strategies in leading countries is helpful – this is exactly what the new study “Comparison of International Battery Policy” conducted by Fraunhofer ISI commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is about. The report focuses on lithium-ion, solid-state, and alternative batteries, as well as the political goals and strategies of Japan, South Korea, China, USA, Europe, and Germany. The study’s authors analyzed national announcements, publications, and roadmaps describing the political and technical goals, performance indicators, and financing strategies of these countries.
The results show that all countries are striving to achieve their own goals to be less dependent on international supply chains. Another common goal, except for China (2060), is climate neutrality by 2045 (Germany) or 2050. However, specific sustainable development and recycling goals differ significantly in individual countries. It is also noticeable that since 2014, all countries have significantly increased public funding for research and development (R&D), partly due to new strategies (USA: Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, Japan: Green Growth Strategy, Korea: Secondary Battery Innovation Strategy) and strategic programs (Germany: Roof Concept Battery Research 2023). Grants have doubled or even tripled compared to the situation before 2020 for most countries.
The comparative analysis conducted in the study regarding key indicators such as energy density, cycle life, and costs revealed that each country defines a different number of indicators with varying degrees of feasibility. Some countries rely on a large number of indicators, such as China in the case of lithium-ion, solid-state, and alternative liquid electrolyte batteries, while others, like South Korea, focus on a smaller number of basic indicators for specific technologies, such as solid-state, lithium-sulfur, and lithium-metal batteries. In some cases, these indicators are defined as goals to be achieved through public support programs (e.g., energy density target of 500 Wh/kg in the Battery500 consortium in the USA), or in other cases, they are applied to next-generation technologies with even greater development potential (e.g., Japan’s goals for commercializing zinc/fluorine anode-based batteries after 2030).
Analyzing individual countries separately, the study shows the following results:
– China has long relied mainly on demand-driven policies and focused on its domestic electric vehicle market but is now increasingly shifting toward a supply-focused battery strategy with growing resources. In 2022, the country had the largest share in the global battery market and is seeking to strengthen its position in the global market. China has long focused on performance parameters such as energy density but is now increasingly considering quality factors such as safety. The Chinese government has set specific sustainable development goals, also considering expansion into the European market. Currently, the greatest emphasis is placed on lithium-ion, solid-state, sulfate-metal, and lithium-sulfate batteries.
– In the past, Germany pursued an open technology strategy for battery technology, introducing many different measures, but in January 2023, a specific strategy was introduced regarding performance parameters through the “umbrella concept for battery research.” This concept also focuses on the development of production processes on a larger scale to expand manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, joint projects and funding with the European industry aim to harmonize the implementation of EU policies on topics such as sustainability, recycling, and digitization of batteries. On the technological side, the German strategy has defined specific goals for the development of solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and other alternatives.
– Japan, as an early technological leader, traditionally focused on supply-side strategies. However, in recent years, Japan has shifted from focusing on a single technology to developing various battery technologies, such as lithium-ion, solid-state, and lithium-sulfur batteries.
FAQ SECTION
Below are common questions related to battery technology based on the discussed article:
1. What policies and goals regarding battery technology does the new study analyze?
2. Which countries were highlighted in the report as key countries in battery technology research?
3. How can the European battery ecosystem contribute to the decarbonization of energy and transportation sectors?
4. What challenges are affecting the development of battery ecosystems in Germany and the European Union?
5. What sustainable development and recycling goals do individual countries adopt?
6. Which countries have significantly increased public funding for battery technology research and development?
7. Which key indicators were compared in the study?
8. What are Germany’s specific goals in the development of battery technology?
9. What battery strategy was introduced in Germany in January 2023?
10. Which battery technology currently receives the greatest emphasis in China?
11. What development goals for batteries does Japan’s strategy define?
Definitions of terms and jargon:
1. Lithium-ion battery technologies: Battery technologies that use lithium in the charging and discharging process.
2. Solid-state battery technologies: Battery technologies in which the electrodes used in the charging and discharging process are solid.
3. Alternative battery technologies: Other battery technologies with different types of electrodes.
4. International battery policy: Strategies and goals of different countries regarding battery technology.
5. Decarbonization: The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with human activity to mitigate climate change.
6. Circular supply chains: A system of delivering and retrieving products in a cyclical manner to ensure recycling and resource recovery.
7. Energy density: The amount of energy stored per unit volume.
8. Climate neutrality: A state in which greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removal or reduction of those gases.
9. Recycling: The process of recovering materials from waste for reuse.
10. Battery500 Consortium: A research and development program in the United States aiming to achieve a battery energy density of 500 Wh/kg.
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