lithium

The electric vehicle industry is creating a “dot-com” boom around the energy transition, spinning off a multitude of startups as it creates its own supply chain of new technologies in battery manufacturing.

Skyrocketing demand for the commodity has created a lithium deficit that could slow the pace of the energy transition. Industry is scrambling to find new sources by opening new mines or devising new technologies to extract lithium from brines, including brines found in produced water from oil and gas operations.

As electric vehicles make their move into the fast lane, the two high-profile companies are partnering to keep them on track.

The growth in renewable energy is spurring battery-storage projects, which are fueling a “gold rush to metals.”

The NeoLith pilot plant is on track to begin operations before the end of the year.

While there are rechargeable batteries rated to 125ºC, many service companies prefer not to use them because a rating of 150ºC is preferable. The industry typically uses one-time-use lithium primary batteries.