Avoiding the double-edged sword of energy storage technology

Batteries power the clean energy transition, but their production comes at a cost — environmental and human health impacts from critical mineral extraction and processing. A new study, by the Yannay Institute for Energy Security at Reichman University, highlights the risks and offers sustainable solutions including circular economy strategies and pollution mitigation measures to ensure energy storage technologies truly benefit the planet and its people.

In a new study published in Resources, Conservation and Recycling, an international team of researchers along with Dr. Asaf Tzachor, Co-Founder of the Yannay Institute for Energy Security at Reichman University, examined the hidden environmental costs of energy storage technologies.

While batteries are critical for advancing renewable energy systems and achieving global climate goals, their production depends on over 35 materials and critical minerals, including nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The extraction and processing of these minerals pose significant risks to both human health and the environment.

The new study highlights the environmental and health impacts associated with China's battery mineral supply chain, which dominates global production. Particulate pollution from the extraction and processing of nickel, cobalt, and manganese emerges as a primary contributor to human health damage, accounting for over 62% of the impact from these technologies. In fact, particulate matter emissions from these materials exceed CO₂ emissions, underscoring the severity of their environmental footprint.

Dr. Tzachor explains, "Batteries are indispensable for the clean energy transition, but without addressing their environmental and health implications, we risk replacing one problem with another. Rapid and unchecked extraction could also trigger geopolitical tensions and trade barriers around critical minerals".

To break this cycle and pave the way for a more sustainable battery industry, the research team highlights three critical solutions.

First, green energy systems are essential for powering the extraction and processing of battery minerals. By transitioning to renewable energy sources for these energy-intensive processes, the carbon footprint of battery production can be significantly reduced, aligning mineral extraction with global climate goals.

Second, the researchers advocate for tailings backfilling, a technique to address land degradation and pollution. Tailings, the waste byproducts of mining, often contain harmful substances that can leach into the environment. Backfilling involves returning these materials to mined-out areas, reducing the environmental impact while restoring landscapes.

Finally, circular economy strategies are pivotal for minimizing the demand for virgin mineral extraction. Recycling and reusing battery materials not only decreases dependency on new resources but also lower the environmental and economic costs associated with mining. These strategies extend the lifecycle of valuable materials and contribute to a more resource-efficient industry.

The study warns that failing to address these challenges could undermine the promise of energy storage technologies, perpetuating environmental harm and exacerbating public health crises. However, by balancing the benefits and risks, the clean energy transition can be truly sustainable.

This research is part of the Yannay Institute for Energy Security's broader mission to explore innovative approaches to global energy challenges. The institute brings together interdisciplinary experts to develop practical solutions for achieving energy security and sustainability.