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Exploring the Environmental Sustainability of Primary Al–Air Batteries for Long-Term Energy Storage Applications
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
The transition toward a decarbonized energy system requires long-term energy storage (LTES) solutions capable of complementing hydrogen-based technologies. This study presents an exploratory life cycle assessment (LCA) of a primary aluminum–air battery (AAB) system as a prospective solid-state LTES option, benchmarked against gaseous hydrogen (GH2) with underground storage and liquid hydrogen (LH2) with cryogenic tank. The AAB is evaluated under current and prospective aluminum production scenarios across different geographic contexts, and is benchmarked against alternatives using identical supply chain and use-phase assumptions. AAB system achieves round-trip efficiencies of 29–35%, exceeding GH2 and LH2 by at least 2% and 10%, respectively. Consequently, GH2 outperforms AAB across all categories on a cradle-to-use basis only thanks to underground storage, while AAB showing competitive performance it performs better than LH2 in global warming potential (GWP100) impact category. The conducted uncertainty analysis reveals that AAB might outperform H2 in GWP and eutrophication potential (freshwater) under favorable conditions. Overall, the findings highlight trade-offs realizing climate benefits while mitigating resource and ecosystem impacts. Advancing low-carbon smelting, material circularity, optimized logistics, and durable low-impact components will be essential for enabling AAB to serve as a sustainable complement or partial substitute for hydrogen-based LTES in future low-carbon energy systems.
Descrição
Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Palavras-chave
aluminum–air battery LCA long-term energy storage metal fuels power-to-metal Environmental Chemistry General Chemical Engineering General Materials Science General Energy SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 13 - Climate Action SDG 15 - Life on Land