PNNL

Abstract

Global Net-Zero plans depend on the rapid deployment of batteries at scales that are sufficiently large to decarbonize the electricity system and on-road transport. Such deployment can take many avenues, shaped by technology selection, materials selection, and supply chain configuration, which will have local and global environmental and social impacts. Current knowledge gaps limit the ability of decision-makers to facilitate the deployment of battery capacity and make choices that minimize or avoid unintended environmental and social consequences. These gaps include a lack of harmonized, accessible, and up-to date data on manufacturing and supply chains and shortcomings within sustainability and social impact assessment methods, resulting in uncertainty that limits consideration and incorporation of research into policy making. Collectively, these gaps can lead to unintended detrimental effects of large-scale battery deployment. To support decarbonization goals while minimizing negative environmental and social impacts, we elucidate current barriers and track how decision-making for large-scale battery deployment translates to environmental and social impacts and recommend steps to overcome them. Implementing these steps will contribute to the development of a robust evaluation framework for connecting potential decisions with probable impacts that can be used by policymakers, product developers, and other decision-makers involved in a battery energy storage system’s life cycle. These recommendations will help decision-makers to avoid obstacles or unintended consequences at this early stage of the ongoing large scale battery deployment.