The Power of Lithium is Changing the Future of Energy – for the Greater Good
Lithium – The ‘What’, ‘Why’ and - most important - ‘Where’
Lithium is energizing the future of technology – for the greater good. Taking its name from the ancient Greek (‘lithos’ – stone)
lithium is a soft alkali metal and, along with its compounds, it has long been used in a variety of applications. They include
heat-resistant glass and ceramics; lubricants; flux additives for iron; and steel and aluminum production. Lithium has also had a
pharmaceutical use as a mood stabilizer and anti-depressant. But most important today is its use in batteries for personal devices
and electric vehicles (EV).
Currently the top three Lithium producing countries in the world are Australia, Chile and China. The world’s largest hard-rock
lithium mine is Greenbushes, a massive open pit operation at the southwestern tip of the state of Western Australia. In 2021,
Greenbushes accounted for approximately 38% of global hard rock lithium output.
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the largest lithium deposits in the world. Several companies extract the metal there,
using the brine extraction method. These vast reserves are shared with Chile and Bolivia.
Other regions with lithium include China and central and south-central Africa. North America has significant, largely untapped
reserves in Quebec and in the Canadian Shield. The only lithium producing mine in the United States is Nevada’s Silver Peak Mine,
which produces lithium carbonate.
Lithium’s Green Appeal
Its value in the production of lithium for batteries has set off the current world-wide treasure hunt for the metal. In 2011, just
22% of lithium use went to the production of batteries. Only a decade later, that figure was well over 65% and probably closer to
75% - and growing. Lithium batteries have a high charge and power-to-weight ratio. For example, a typical lithium-ion battery
generates about 3 volts per cell, as compared to 2.1 volts from lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries are rechargeable, another
obvious factor in their appeal.
Demand is also off the charts for batteries for use in the portable electronics sector. But clearly the demand for lithium in
Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries is the chief driver of this expansion, as governments unleash a host of incentives to encourage the
construction and purchase of green vehicles.
Governments Get Involved…
The Federal government and many of its provincial counterparts have gotten behind the drive to promote electric vehicles in Canada.
With a few notable exceptions, our governments are offering a variety of rebates to incentivize the purchase or leasing of EVs.
There is also substantial involvement in the move to making the batteries that power them as well.
The EVs eligible for rebates are an alphabet soup, and include:
- Battery-electric vehicle or BEV is completely powered by electric batteries.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV, having both an electric motor as well as a gasoline engine.
- Extended range electric vehicle (ER-EV), with an electric motor and a battery that is recharged by a combination of electricity
and gas.
- Fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that is 100% powered by hydrogen.
Although Ontario does not currently offer rebates on EVs, it has stepped up with the Feds to financially support the recently
announced Volkswagen battery plant, to be built in St. Thomas. And it would be fair to say that all governments are actively
supporting the power of Lithium, as it continues energizing the future of technology for the greater good of us all.