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Batteries

To put more renewable power to use, utilities are doubling down on battery storage

by Henry Epp
Jan 16, 2024
Giant batteries can extend the reach of wind and solar power — which accounted for 22% of electricity generated last year, the EIA says.
Rows of lithium ion batteries that store renewable energy. The EIA expects utility battery storage to nearly double by the end of 2024.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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The Inflation Reduction Act wants to incentivize electric car purchases – but there's a catch

by Mitchell Hartman
Aug 10, 2022
The bill includes language that would make most existing electric vehicle models ineligible for the tax credit that's intended to make them more affordable.
People look at the engine of a Chevrolet Bolt EV at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on April 15, 2022 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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The tech economy needs minerals and metals, and Afghanistan has got a lot of them

by Kai Ryssdal and Anais Amin
Sep 3, 2021
Journalist and book author Guillaume Pitron explains the barriers to getting those minerals out of the ground and putting them to use.
A copper and cobalt mine in Kolwezi in the Democratic republic of Congo in 2018.
Samir Tounsi/AFP via Getty Images
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Stellantis has an ambitious EV plan, but is America ready for it?

by Mitchell Hartman
Jul 9, 2021
The automaker is investing heavily in electric vehicle manufacturing, but American infrastructure and consumer wants may get in the way.
Stellantis is investing $35.5 billion into electric vehicle production, manufacturing and technology.
Bryan Mitchell via Getty Images
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Marketplace Tech Blogs

Why Western tech companies want more control over minerals in Africa

by Molly Wood , Stephanie Hughes and Shaheen Ainpour
Mar 2, 2018
Modern electronics rely heavily on one thing: lithium ion batteries. With carmakers gearing up to increase electric vehicle production, the demand for lithium ion batteries doesn’t appear to be slowing down. These batteries rely on an increasingly important supply of the metal cobalt. Most cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central […]
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Will the U.S. invent the next generation of batteries?

by Molly Wood and Kristin Schwab
Dec 8, 2017
A potential lack of government funding could help other countries pull ahead.
GERARD JULIEN/AFP/GettyImages
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Lithium-ion batteries are about as good as they can get

by Molly Wood and Kristin Schwab
Dec 7, 2017
But it's just a matter of time before the problem is solved, a UC Berkeley engineer says.
To make lithium-ion batteries better, you have to invent new materials, says Kristin Persson of UC Berkeley.
David Becker/Getty Images
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Exploding batteries and more: Samsung's week from hell

by Amy Scott
Sep 9, 2016
Its global Galaxy Note 7 smartphone recall coincided with Apple's new iPhone launch.
In addition to reports that the Galaxy Note 7's battery can catch fire and explode, the Federal Aviation Administration has warned passengers not to use Samsung's phones in flight or check them in baggage.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Why your cell phone battery life still stinks

by Ben Johnson
Apr 9, 2015
Unlike massive leaps in computing technology, batteries are tough to improve.
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Banking on the electric-car battery boom

by Scott Tong
Feb 10, 2015
In his new book, Steve LeVine details what sparks battery innovation.
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