Lithium-ion batteries have greatest growth potenti
China and Europe are believed to be the leaders of total global lithium consumption at 29% and 28%, respectively.
Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Thursday , 15 Nov 2012
RENO (MINEWEB) -
World lithium consumption is anticipated to grow 10% this year and is likely to increase to 190,000 metric tons LCE by 2015 and 280,000 metric tons LCE by 2020, according to a new report by the U.S. Geological Survey.
"Demand for lithium-ion batteries appears to have the greatest potential for growth," says the latest edition of the USGS Minerals Yearbook for lithium. Annual global lithium consumption growth is expected to average 9.5% between 2011 and 2020.
"Lithium supply security has become a top priority for Asian technology companies," said the agency. "Strategic alliances and joint ventures have been, and continue to be, established with lithium exploration companies worldwide to ensure a reliable diversified supply of lithium for Asia’s battery and vehicle manufacturers."
Nanotechnology research has advanced lithium-ion battery technology and more improvements are expected, said the USGS. For instance, nanotechnology has enabled lithium-ion batteries used in power tools to provide power surges of up to 10 times that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
"A promising new technology, the lithium air battery, may be capable of delivering 5 to 10 times more energy density than today’s best lithium-ion technology, effectively rivaling the energy of petroleum," the USGS observed. Although lithium-air battery technology in still in its infancy, a full-scale prototype battery will be ready by 2013 with commercial battery production anticipated in 2020.
Meanwhile, the agency noted various nations are establishing national alternative energy policies that have the potential to substantially increase lithium demand. Asia, North America, and Western Europe are expected to be at the forefront of adopting utility-size energy storage systems that can play a large role in the electricity grids of the future.
"China, in particular, was expected to become the largest utility-scale energy storage market in the world, with $586 billion in government funds to be invested by 2020," said the USGS.
"In addition to energy storage systems, several other potential growth areas could significantly increase lithium demand by 2020," said the agency. "Lithium used in solar power applications and in nuclear reactor applications offer substantial opportunities for future lithium growth."
GLOBAL LITHIUM PRODUCTION
Lithium has historically been mined from continental brines and hard rock ore.
In 2011, U.S. lithium consumption was expected to be 2,000 metric tons of contained lithium, 82% greater than consumption in 2010.
Worldwide production and consumption of lithium increased in 2011, said the agency. Imports of lithium compounds into the U.S. increased by 44% last year. Global lithium production (excluding U.S. production) was estimated to be 34,800 metric tons last year, an increase of 25% from 2010.
The sole U.S. lithium carbonate producer is Chemetall Foote Corp., which produces lithium carbonate from brines near Silver Peak, Nevada.
Worldwide lithium resource exploration conducted primarily by Australia and Canadian startup companies has increased significantly in recent years, says the USGS. The continental brine and clay resources of Nevada and geothermal brings of California were a major focus of exploration in the United States, as were the pegmatite and oil brine resources of Canada, and the pegmatite resources of Australia.
Meanwhile, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile have experienced significant exploration of their continental brines, says the USGS.
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