Forums
Sustainable Living
Renewable-powered t...
In pictures: South ...
 
Notifications
Clear all

In pictures: South America's 'lithium fields' reveal the dark side of our electric future.

 
Renewable-powered transport (EVs & e-bikes)
Last Post by Mars 1 year ago
4 Posts
4 Users
1 Reactions
1,096 Views
RSS
Morgan
 Morgan
(@morgan)
Noble Member Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 615
Topic starter 10/02/2024 11:19 am  

https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/02/01/south-america-s-lithium-fields-reveal-the-dark-side-of-our-electric-future

Retrofitted 11.2kw Mitsubishi Ecodan to new radiators commissioned November 2021.
14 x 500w Monocrystalline solar panels.

2 ESS Smile G3 10.1 batteries.
ESS Smile G3 5kw inverter.


   
Quote
 ChickenBig
(@chickenbig)
Honorable Member Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 292
11/02/2024 12:28 pm  

The article fails to put lithium extraction in context with the environmental impact of human activity as a whole, as well as the benefit gained from these activities. Granted the evaporation ponds look vast, but given it produces ~10t of lithium a day, so enough for 300,000 Tesla cars (of unspecified battery size) a year. 

Water rights will always be an issue in a desert; I see the proposals to desalinate water at the coast and pump it in has also come in for opposition for (coastal) environmental reasons. I would think Chile would be able to desalinate at a super-low cost given the superb solar resources.

Of course it is up to the government to ensure the benefits are equitably spread; direct jobs, tax revenue and the possibility of value-added jobs within the country to name a few. I'm not sure that society can ensure the happiness of all involved. Some people want to XYZ, others want to stop the impact (both known and unknown) of XYZ.

 

   
ReplyQuote
 william1066
(@william1066)
Reputable Member Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 206
11/02/2024 1:51 pm  

@morgan - I did read somewhere that we are about 40[ish] years away from a full closed loop system for EV batteries, so no mining needed, 100% of battery materials recycled.  Getting there will take time and requires economies of scale and some very long term thinking.  (so decision making needs to be taken out of groups with "interests" that have a 5 year or less horizon).  China will achieve this, for sure, will European regulation achieve this.  We will see.


   
ReplyQuote
Mars
 Mars
(@editor)
Illustrious Member Admin
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3299
11/02/2024 10:41 pm  

Question is will there still be a habitable planet in 40-ish years time 😥 

Buy Bodge Buster – Homeowner Air Source Heat Pump Installation Guide: https://amzn.to/3NVndlU
From Zero to Heat Pump Hero: https://amzn.to/4bWkPFb

Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast


   
👍
1
ReplyQuote
Forum Jump:
  Previous Topic
Next Topic  
Share:

Join Us!

Trusted Installers

Struggling to find a reliable heat pump installer? A poor installation can lead to inefficiencies and high running costs. We now connect homeowners with top-rated installers who deliver quality work and excellent service.

✅ Verified, trusted & experienced installers
✅ Nationwide coverage expanding
✅ Special offers available

👉 Find your installer now!

Latest Posts

AI Chatbot Avatar
AI Engine
Talk to
Wattson:
AI Avatar
Welcome to Renewable Heating Hub! Ask me anything about heat pumps: how they work, running costs or even how to find installers in your area.

By using this chatbot, you agree to the recording and processing of your data by our website and the external services it might use (LLMs, vector databases, etc.).

Wattson provides general guidance only. Always consult a qualified installer or manufacturer. Use of this chatbot implies agreement with our Terms of Use.