AUTHOR=Putsche Victoria L. , Pattany Jasmine , Ghosh Tapajyoti , Atnoorkar Swaroop , Zuboy Jarett , Carpenter Alberta , Takeuchi Esther S. , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Burrell Anthony , Mann Margaret K. 

TITLE=A framework for integrating supply chain, environmental, and social justice factors during early stationary battery research

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainability

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainability/articles/10.3389/frsus.2023.1287423

DOI=10.3389/frsus.2023.1287423

ISSN=2673-4524

ABSTRACT=The transition to a decarbonized economy will drive dramatically higher demand for energy storage, along with technological diversification. To avoid mistakes of the past, the supply chain implications and environmental and social justice (ESJ) impacts of new battery technologies should be considered early during technological development. We propose herein a systematic framework for analyzing these impacts for new stationary battery technologies and illustrate the framework with a case study. The goal is to promote future development of technologies with secure supply chains and favorable ESJ profiles to avoid expensive corrective actions after substantial resources have been invested. This framework should be a useful tool for public and private researchers and sponsors who want to ensure that supply chain and ESJ concerns are considered and integrated as part of decision making throughout the research and development process.Supply chain analyses encompass each part of the battery technology life cycle. The upstream sector includes material extraction and upgrading of minerals into refined chemical precursors for the batteries. The midstream sector covers development of subcomponents such as the cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte. The downstream sector encompasses manufacturing of battery cells and packaging into packs, racks, and other systems. Finally, end-of-life steps include battery reuse or recycling into new batteries. Here we describe several supply chain assessments.