Report on the Faraday 2 Supercapacitor Battery System and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A new energy storage system, the Faraday 2, has been developed by UK-based firm Superdielectrics. This report analyzes the technology, its market potential, and its significant alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The system, based on supercapacitor technology, is presented as a potential alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries for renewable energy storage.

Technological Profile and Performance

Core Technology

The Faraday 2 is an aqueous battery system founded on supercapacitor principles. Its key components include:

• Polymers originally developed for contact lens manufacturing.
• Zinc halide electrolytes.
• Carbon electrodes.
• A proprietary polymer membrane separator.

Performance Metrics and Comparison

The system’s performance characteristics present both advantages and limitations when compared to established technologies.

1. Energy Density: The Faraday 2 prototype has achieved an energy density of 40 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). This is a significant improvement over its predecessor but remains substantially lower than lithium-ion batteries, which can reach approximately 300 Wh/kg. The current density is comparable to that of lead-acid batteries.
2. Charging Time: The technology allows for very fast charge and discharge times, a key advantage for capturing intermittent surges from renewable sources like wind and solar.
3. Safety and Materials: The design is inherently safer than lithium-ion technology, mitigating risks of explosion from overheating. It utilizes materials that are abundant and widely available.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Faraday 2 project directly supports the achievement of several critical SDGs through its innovative design and intended application.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The technology is fundamentally designed to advance SDG 7 by:

• Providing a crucial storage solution for intermittent renewable energy sources, thereby increasing the reliability and availability of clean power.
• Aiming for a low-cost manufacturing process, which could make energy storage more affordable for residential and commercial use.
• Enabling a more stable and continuous supply of green power, essential for the global energy transition.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The system’s lifecycle and material composition are aligned with the principles of SDG 12:

• Sustainable Materials: It avoids the use of scarce raw materials, such as lithium and cobalt, relying instead on abundant elements.
• Recyclability: The design is intended to be more easily recyclable than lithium-ion batteries, promoting a circular economy.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: The use of an aqueous design and safer materials lowers the environmental risks associated with production and disposal.

Contribution to Additional SDGs

The project also contributes to other interconnected goals:

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Represents a key innovation in building resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The potential for low-cost home energy storage units supports the development of sustainable and self-sufficient energy systems within communities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By facilitating the widespread adoption of renewable energy, the technology is a direct tool for climate change mitigation.

Market Outlook and Expert Analysis

Company Vision

Superdielectrics aims to have a commercial home energy storage unit ready for market launch by the end of 2027. The company posits that the technology’s unique advantages in cost, safety, and sustainability could allow it to “leapfrog” lithium-ion in the renewable energy storage sector.

Independent Assessment

External experts acknowledge the potential but highlight existing challenges.

• The primary limitation is the low energy density, which makes it unlikely to compete with lithium-ion in applications where space and weight are critical.
• A viable market niche is identified for applications where low cost, safety, and long lifespan are prioritized over energy density.
• A significant breakthrough is considered possible if the system can deliver the same energy storage capacity as competitors at a substantially lower price point, even if it requires a larger physical footprint.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The article focuses on a new battery storage system designed to support renewable power. It directly addresses the need for “clean, reliable and affordable electricity,” which is the core mission of SDG 7. The technology is presented as a solution for storing energy from “fluctuating wind and solar generation,” making clean energy more dependable and accessible.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The development of the “Faraday 2” prototype by the UK firm Superdielectrics is a clear example of industrial innovation. The article details the scientific and technological advancements, such as using polymers from contact lenses and improving energy density. This aligns with SDG 9’s emphasis on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article contrasts the new technology with existing lithium-ion batteries, highlighting sustainability issues. The new battery is described as having a “recyclable design” and using “abundant and widely available raw materials.” This directly relates to SDG 12, which calls for the sustainable management of natural resources and the reduction of waste generation, moving away from products that are “difficult to recycle” and “depend on scarce raw materials.”

Specific Targets Identified

Targets for SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The article supports this target by presenting a technology that is “vital for the global shift to green power.” The battery’s ability to provide “continuous power in spite of fluctuating wind and solar generation” is crucial for increasing the reliability and, therefore, the share of renewables in the energy grid.
2. Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
   • The unveiling of the prototype to “journalists and investors” and the company’s goal to “have a commercial system ready for launch… by the end of 2027” represent efforts to promote investment and advance clean energy technology, which is the focus of this target.

Targets for SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
   • The Faraday 2 battery is presented as a “clean” and “environmentally sound” technology that could revolutionize energy storage infrastructure. Its development represents an effort to upgrade this sector with a more sustainable solution compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation.
   • The entire article is about the process of scientific research and development. It mentions the company is “on a journey” to improve the system, has a “director of research and development,” and has advanced from the “Faraday 1 prototype” to the “Faraday 2,” demonstrating a commitment to enhancing technological capabilities and innovation.

Targets for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • The article highlights that the new battery uses “abundant and widely available raw materials,” in contrast to lithium-ion batteries that “depend on scarce raw materials.” This directly addresses the goal of using natural resources more sustainably.
2. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
   • The battery’s “recyclable design” is a key feature mentioned in the article. This is a direct contribution to reducing waste, especially when compared to lithium-ion batteries, which are described as “difficult to recycle.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 7 Targets

• Renewable energy storage capacity: The article implies this indicator by discussing the need to store power from “fluctuating wind and solar generation.” The effectiveness of the Faraday 2 in providing “continuous power” would be a measure of progress.
• Investment in clean energy technology: The company’s presentation to “journalists and investors” and its aim for a commercial launch by 2027 are proxies for measuring investment and commercialization efforts.

Indicators for SDG 9 Targets

• Energy density (Wh/kg): This is a specific, quantifiable indicator mentioned in the article. Progress is shown by the increase from “20 watt-hours per kilogram in the Faraday 1 to 40 Wh/kg in the Faraday 2.” This metric is used to compare the technology to competitors like lithium-ion batteries (“around 300 Wh/kg”).
• Charging time: The article states that the charging time was “halved” between the Faraday 1 and Faraday 2 prototypes, serving as a direct indicator of technological improvement.
• Cost of technology: The battery is described as “low cost,” and a breakthrough is considered possible if it is “95 per cent cheaper to buy” than a Tesla Powerwall. Cost is a critical indicator for the adoption of new, clean technologies.

Indicators for SDG 12 Targets

• Material sourcing: The use of “abundant and widely available raw materials” versus “scarce raw materials” is a qualitative indicator of sustainable resource management.
• Product recyclability: The mention of a “recyclable design” versus being “difficult to recycle” serves as a key indicator for measuring progress towards reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newscientist.com