Unlocking the Future of Renewable Energy Storage with New Battery Research

**Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)** scientists are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for renewable energy storage, tackling the challenges of how batteries fail under high-demand conditions. Their goal is to make wind and solar energy, which are inherently intermittent, reliable enough to power the electric grid consistently. **The Battery Innovation:** - Traditional batteries work by shifting ions between electrodes through a liquid electrolyte. ORNL's novel approach involves a solid electrolyte with enhanced conductivity where sodium ions travel, promising higher durability and energy storage capacity. - **Solid electrolytes** are a promising alternative for the future of batteries, provided that scientists can surmount the challenges related to their performance under stress. **Investigating Battery Failures:** - The research team, led by ORNL, performed experiments by driving the battery at high currents or voltages and analyzing the results using a powerful X-ray beam. - These tests, conducted at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, revealed how **ions deposit within the electrolyte's pores**, forming structures that can eventually lead to short circuits. This study offers valuable insights into how these solid electrolytes can be improved, which is vital for advancing renewable energy technologies. “We can use this information to understand how to improve this really promising solid electrolyte material that could support storing renewable energy for longer periods,” said Mengya Li, an ORNL researcher.