China Nonferrous Metallurgy

Currently, lead-acid batteries face limitations such as low energy density, short cycle life, and large size and weight, which result in their limited application in the domestic energy storage sector. Lead-carbon batteries, which feature a carbon-modified negative electrode, represent an advancement over traditional lead-acid batteries by significantly enhancing cycle life and mitigating failure phenomena. The inherent advantages of lead-carbon batteries, such as low raw material costs, high recyclability, and superior safety, make them ideally suited for large-scale and long-duration energy storage applications. In the context of the sustainable development of the recycled lead industry, leveraging the technological benefits of lead-carbon batteries to expand their production and applications in energy storage is a crucial strategy for optimizing energy load balancing and improving local energy frameworks. Future initiatives will focus on deploying pilot demonstrations of new lead-carbon battery energy storage systems within major wind and photovoltaic bases in deserts and Gobi regions, accompanied by the development of lead smelting facilities and the lead-carbon battery supply chain. This approach aims to establish a comprehensive industry cycle spanning raw material sourcing, smelting, advanced processing, application demand, and recycling.