National Battery Day is finally here: Why it matters
Power up and take notice! National Battery Day is here to remind us of the game-changing potential of battery technology. As the tech transforms our mobility landscape, remember that we’re just getting started. So let’s raise awareness and get amped for the battery revolution! Ready for take-off?
National Battery Day is celebrated every year in the USA. Although it is not an official holiday, and there is much debate about the meaning and relevance of such commemorative days, one fact remains: the USA is highly focused on the topic of battery cells — and Germany should follow suit.
From automobiles to submarines, and even in the emerging market of electric air taxis, the shift to eco-friendly mobility relies heavily on powerful batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have become a vital component in the eco-friendly transition over the last decade, and the demand is only set to grow.
The Aviation Sector Example
According to McKinsey, the need for batteries is expected to increase from 700 gigawatt-hours in 2022 to 4700 gigawatt-hours in 2030. But this could be just the beginning. As the technology evolves, new applications will emerge, creating additional demand for lithium-ion technology. One example is cell-to-chassis. Here, the battery cell is integrated directly into the body of the vehicle. New opportunities are also being created by combining lithium-ion batteries with technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital twins. The lithium-ion battery is no less than the key technology of the 21st century.
The aviation industry, for example, offers significant potential. In Germany, private jet flights account for about 12% of air traffic and emit over one million tons of CO2. Additionally, almost half of all domestic passenger flights cover distances of only 400–500 kilometers. In the U.S., where domestic flights are far more important, the average flight distance is 500 miles (approximately 800 kilometers).
So even if long-haul flights don’t go all-electric anytime soon, just converting all those short-distance flights to battery technology would be a huge relief for the climate. This would also mean that other costly infrastructure, such as roads and railways, would no longer need to be built. And infrastructure construction is particularly CO2-intensive due to cement and high energy consumption.
In addition, battery technology offers enormous potential for the development of new flying devices, from drones to flying taxis that could be used in the urban centers of the future. Companies like CustomCells are already working hard to make this future a reality.
Change has already begun
Lithium-ion technology is already changing many areas of our everyday lives:
- E-mobility on the road: Lithium-ion batteries are ensuring that the energy transition succeeds on the road.
- Battery technology in medicine: Innovative new solutions that have a positive impact on the lives of patients and make the work of medical staff easier.
- Diverse applications in the industry: From handheld to intermediate storage solutions, the lithium-ion battery is helping to make processes more flexible, sustainable and safe.
To fully utilize the potential of battery technology, Germany must emphasize the education and training of skilled professionals in this area. Germany may not need a National Battery Day. But let’s use the momentum to raise awareness of the importance of this technology.
It is about our future.
Master of Batteries is a publication by CustomCells, one of the leading companies in the development and series production of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery cells.
