Lithium-ion batteries, serving as compact, portable power packs in every cell phone and almost every laptop, accompany us everywhere. And they could soon be heralding a “mobile” future in the automotive world as well. Automotive manufacturers are looking for light, powerful, and safe energy storage devices for environmentally compatible hybrid and electric drives. With its SEPARION® ceramic separator, Evonik is making a vital contribution toward safer and more efficient motorized traffic.
Battery power
SEPARION® forms the separating layer between the anode and cathode in the battery. The material
is light and flexible and remains stable even at high temperatures, making it ideal for use in the
main battery of a hybrid car. The combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor
leads to fuel savings of up to 30 percent and reduces CO2 emissions accordingly.
Environmental protection and driving enjoyment
The advantages of the hybrid drive are particularly evident in city traffic. Each time the brake
is applied, the battery is supplied with energy, which it uses when the vehicle starts up again.
This saves money and is easy on the environment. Because the batteries have high power density,
hybrid cars allow acceleration, even in electric mode, with no loss of driving enjoyment.
Application for renewable energies
In another promising area of application, large electric lithium-ion energy storage units could in the future make a major contribution toward more efficient market penetration of renewable energy sources. They stabilize electricity grids in grid-connected wind turbines and solar generation systems, and smooth out load fluctuations. This makes it possible for the first time to store solar and wind energy. Stationary storage of electrical energy makes renewable energy readily accessible at efficiencies exceeding 95 percent, a value not even remotely approached by any other technology.