Battery Boom Threatened by Mining Bottlenecks for Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt
Cheap batteries are transforming the power grid, storing solar power during the day and releasing it after dark, thereby replacing natural gas. However, their production depends on lithium, nickel, and cobalt, minerals that take years to mine. The mines are unable to keep up with the surging demand, making the supply chain vulnerable to disruption.
Key facts
- Cheap batteries are transforming the power grid.
- Batteries store solar power during the day and release it after dark.
- Batteries are replacing natural gas in the power grid.
- Battery production requires lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
- These minerals take years to mine.
- Mines cannot keep up with battery demand.
- The battery supply chain is at risk of snapping.
Entities
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Sources
- Quartz —