In this first part of a series of articles from IDTechEx, an overview of the flow batteries characteristics is provided, extrapolated from IDTechEx's recent report "Redox Flow Battery 2020-2030: Forecast, Challenges, Opportunities".

The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market has driven the development, manufacture and sales of batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries. In the meantime, a number of companies are betting on the next big energy storage technologies. Solid-state batteries are one of them.

The electricity market is evolving to allow a higher integration of variable energy sources and a new class of devices is approaching the market to satisfy this necessity.

Li-ion batteries are starting to near their performance ceiling. Delving into the trends being seen in patent applications and filings can provide insight into the key areas of innovation in Li-ion batteries and the areas of development favored by key players.

False-start - stagnation - market explosion: The CNT success story begins, as IDTechEx forecasts significant growth

IDTechEx estimates the global plug-in electric vehicle (BEV + PHEV) population reached 8.1 million units (including light commercial vehicles) by the end of 2019, supported by roughly five million charging outlets. There will be over 111 million plug-in EVs in-use globally by 2031: a massive driver for the wide-spread deployment of charging infrastructure.

Surprises abound in the new IDTechEx Research report, "Supercapacitor Markets, Technology Roadmap, Opportunities 2021-2041"

Wednesday 30 September - An overview of the electricity grid, and the potential of stationary energy storage; explanation and classification of Gravitational Energy Storage technologies; overview of the Compressed Air Energy Storage systems; and much more.

Despite the impact of Covid-19, substantial volumes of Li-ion batteries will soon be reaching their end-of-life. IDTechEx highlight the importance of Li-ion recycling and discuss what will drive growth in the market.

Electric vehicles are expected to include solid-state batteries as an innovative approach, according to IDTechEx's research report "Solid-State and Polymer Batteries 2020-2030: Technology, Patents, Forecasts, Players".

The electricity grid is undergoing its first evolution since the invention of the power transmission system, and energy storage devices, particularly mechanical energy storage devices, will play a solid role in this evolution.

Traction batteries and motors in electric vehicles (EVs) are very different to the powertrain components of the internal-combustion engine vehicles they replace.

What do you now purchase by the kilowatt hour? The new supercapacitors replacing batteries. The new IDTechEx report, "Supercapacitor Markets, Technology Roadmap, Opportunities 2021-2041", shows how supercapacitors have started to replace 10% of lithium-ion batteries and help kill lead-acid.

Thursday 10 September - Join the webinar "Do Patents Highlight the Way Forward for Li-ion Batteries?", presented by IDTechEx Technology Analyst, Dr Alex Holland. There are 3 sessions to choose from (2am, 10am and 5pm BST).

The battery industry has experienced enormous innovation and investment with the demand mainly from electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The 1,500 GWh market demand in 2030 indicates huge potential for batteries.

Supercapacitors Turn the Corner - Supercapacitors and their variants have recently seen customer commitment to multibillion-dollar opportunities that were previously beyond their reach. Consider large peak-shaving ones for hybrid cars where the Geely orders will soon be followed by others.

Growth in the Li-ion market means significant investments are now being made into building out capacity for manufacturing Li-ion batteries and their components and as the demand for Li-ion batteries grow, so too does the importance of performance and cost improvements.

Electric ships have some of the largest individual batteries of any electric vehicle sector; below is a list of the largest projects IDTechEx have been tracking.

The new IDTechEx report, "Sensors 2021-2041" uniquely analyses the whole subject in the light of such seismic changes as the COVID-19 virus. The sensor business is in turmoil. The industries that spend most on sensors are changing as are the sensors.

In the past two decades, the car market has declined twice: first due to the 2008 economic crisis, and then due to falling sales in China. Most recently, the lockdowns implemented to combat the coronavirus pandemic, causing auto-production plants to close globally and a loss of consumer spending will lead to an unprecedented 23% decline in 2020 (IDTechEx prediction).