Page 45 - EE Times Europe Magazine – November 2023

EE|Times EUROPE 45

OPINION | GREENER ELECTRONICS | ENERGY STORAGE

Powering Europe’s In particular, Europe is motivated to

Energy With Zinc-Ion demonstrate leadership and innovation in
the energy storage industry. Triggered by
supply chain challenges, geopolitical disrup-
Storage Solutions tion and rapid inflation, the drastic increase
in energy prices has laid bare the need for
affordable energy solutions. To position
renewable energy as a viable alternative
By Eloisa de Castro, Enerpoly to imported fossil fuels for Europe, energy
storage integration is vital. Europe faces
increasing challenges here: Lithium-ion bat-
Over the past five years, price and supply material volatility tery prices experienced an upswing in 2022
in the European energy market has demonstrated unequivocally due to higher material costs, compounded by
that resilience and security must be top priorities for the decades the 33% regional price premium associated
ahead. Multiple disruptive events, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with the technology in Europe.
to soaring fossil-fuel prices, have exposed the fragility of energy Nonetheless, the European residential
infrastructure and supply chains. To ensure energy security and market is one of the leading regions in
affordability going forward, European nations must invest heavily in sustainable storage adoption, with growth
diversifying energy sources, increasing efficiency and building robust in technologies like home solar paired
systems that can withstand unexpected shocks. with advances in batteries and smart grid
But to build a robust renewable energy system, the continent needs to integrate comple- integration. These technologies and business
mentary storage solutions—such as zinc-ion batteries, which are affordable, sustainably built models are a solution to soaring energy costs
and scalable—into the mix. A portfolio of battery technologies will help reinforce Europe’s and are being piloted and scaled in the
energy storage backbone. Additionally, the continent’s ability to store clean energy in batter- European market, setting precedents for
ies will be crucial for the success of its sustainability ambitions of a 55% reduction in carbon other regions worldwide.
emissions by 2030. Europe is well positioned to lead in
zinc-ion batteries not only because of these
EUROPE AS A LEADER IN ALTERNATIVE BATTERY SOLUTIONS developments but also because zinc-ion bat-
With its solid foundations in key technologies and strength in industrializing innovation, Europe tery materials are abundant here. Startups
has the potential to be a global leader across segments that will define the energy markets of the and researchers have made recent techno-
future. Governments in Europe are actively funding investments into green energy technologies logical breakthroughs, allowing zinc-ion to
across grid-scale, industrial, commercial and residential sectors, enabling the rapid scaling of become a high-performing and cost-
innovations coming from startups and researchers. competitive battery chemistry.

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

www.eetimes.eu | NOVEMBER 2023