Developing the safest battery available is a holistic endeavor; not just the safety of our homes, facilities, or cities, but encompassing a bigger picture of what safety means. Blue Ion Ferrous Phosphate (LFP) batteries contain no rare minerals, with an intrinsically safer cathode material than the current generation of Lithium Ion batteries, making this the most responsible energy storage composition, using an abundant and conflict-free source material.
For this discussion, the distinction between Li-ion and LFP is the kind of cathode used. They share primary advantages of higher energy density and faster charge/discharge times compared to the nickel or lead acid batteries historically used.
The Blue Planet Energy Blue Ion Energy Storage System uses Lithium Ferrous Phosphate as the cathode material in each battery cell.
A lithium-ion battery (Li-ion) is rechargeable battery with lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCoO2) or lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) as the cathode material. Of the two, LiCoO2 are more prevalent.
Lithium-Cobalt-Oxide (LiCoO2 ) characteristics:
Highest energy density--therefore lighter weight
Popular for phones, PC’s etc.
Risk of thermal runaway
A lithium-iron battery (LFP) is also a rechargeable type of battery but made with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) as the cathode material.
LFP technology possesses superior thermal and chemical stability which provides better safety characteristics than those of Li-ion technology made with other cathode materials. LFP cells are incombustible in the event of mishandling during charge or discharge, they are more stable under overcharge or short circuit conditions and they can withstand high temperatures without decomposing. When abuse does occur, the phosphate-based cathode material will not burn and is not prone to thermal runaway. LFP chemistry also offers a longer cycle life.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) characteristics:
Most stable
Good energy density
Long life
Economical over time
The LFP battery has superior chemical and thermal stability. An LFP battery remains cool at room temperature while the Li-ion may suffer thermal runaway and heats up faster under similar charging conditions.
LFP is a nontoxic material, while Li-ion is hazardous in nature, and is not considered a safe material. Disposal of a Li-ion battery is a big concern for the manufacturer and end user, this is also not a concern for LFP batteries.
In 2013 the EPA released a report on the Life-Cycle Analysis of Lithium-Ion Batteries. In it they note:
"...batteries that use cathodes with nickel and cobalt, as well as solvent-based electrode processing, have the highest potential for environmental impacts. These impacts include resource depletion, global warming, ecological toxicity, and human health impacts. The largest contributing processes include those associated with the production, processing, and use of cobalt and nickel metal compounds, which may cause adverse respiratory, pulmonary, and neurological effects in those exposed."
Below are some articles that hopefully shed a little more light on the subject:
LFP and the Environment :
https://relionbattery.com/blog/how-lithium-iron-phosphate-batteries-are-easier-on-the-environment
Cobalt Mining:
Lithium Mining:
https://blog.grabcad.com/blog/2018/02/20/how-does-lithium-mining-work/