MURDOCH UNIVERSITY, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. A newly developed salt-based battery could be the answer to our energy problems in the near future. With this technology, manufacturers won’t have to pass on the production costs to the customers. High energy density in a low cost battery will soon be readily available for consumers in the market.

Currently, batteries operate at high temperatures which is why it is very much costly to run. Renewable energy supplies are stored in batteries so they can be used when the sun isn’t shining or when the wind is not blowing. With the new cost-effective batteries, there will be no need for high temperatures anymore. It can be used at low temperatures and will be able to run on readily available salt, manganese and iron.

Doctors Manickam Minakshi and Danielle Meyrick of Murdoch’s School of Chemical and Mathematical Sciences headed the research team for the technology. They were able to make power storage for use in non-generation times become a reality which is one of the greatest challenges in terms of sustainable energy. Wind turbines don’t turn on a still day and solar power doesn’t work at night. That is why excess energy is stored in batteries so that it may be used in times like these.

The team of researchers and developers are looking into commercializing the technology for large scale use in the future. The plan also includes storing excess energy produced by wind turbines and from solar farms. That way, it may be used for local electricity supply.