Energy
How 5 Global Brands Use Renewable Energy
How 5 Global Brands Use Renewable Energy
According to the Renewable Energy Policy Network, about 22.1% of the world’s energy needs are satisfied by renewable energy. Hydro power accounts for most of this (16.4%) and the remainder (5.7%) comes from solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable sources.
While many governments are undertaking initiatives to keep the percentage share of renewable energy sources increasing, there are also some large global brands that are helping lead the charge to a greener economy. Today’s infographic covers these brands and the business moves they have made to ensure a smaller footprint.
Microsoft has committed to being carbon-neutral since 2013. To help with this initiative, the company has made several 20-year deals to buy wind-generated power including from a 175 MW wind project in Illinois and a 110 MW project in Texas.
Sony plans to have a zero environmental footprint by 2050, and already uses 100% renewable energy for its CD manufacturing in Austria. The company is also targeting to reduce the annual energy consumption of its products by 30% by 2020.
Google has been carbon-neutral since 2007, and buys carbon credits to offset its emissions. The company plans to be eventually using renewable energy for 100% of its supply, and is 35% of the way there. They are in the process of investing $2 billion in renewable energy projects.
Ikea, the furniture giant, has set 2020 as the year it plans to become 100% powered by renewable energy. The Swedish company has already committed €1.5 billion to solar and wind energy, including investment in wind farms in at least nine countries.
Lastly, Walmart has committed to procuring 7 billion kWh of energy from renewable sources by 2020, and it claims it is already 32% of the way there. Walmart currently has more than 335 renewable energy projects in operation or development throughout the world.
Original graphic by: Make It Cheaper
Batteries
4 Benefits of LFP Batteries for EVs
LFP batteries are gaining popularity in EVs, with brands like Tesla and Ford increasingly adopting this technology due to their benefits.
LFP Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Even though the technology behind EVs has evolved significantly over the past decade, batteries have always been a critical component.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are becoming an increasingly popular choice for standard-range EVs, with major automotive producers like Tesla and Ford introducing LFP-powered vehicles into their catalog.
In this infographic, our sponsor First Phosphate highlights the advantages of using LFP cathode batteries in EVs.
Benefit 1: Safety
LFP batteries are among the safest types of lithium-ion batteries, with a low risk of overheating and catching fire.
These batteries are less prone to thermal runaway and do not release oxygen if they catch fire, making them safer than other lithium-ion batteries.
Benefit 2: Long Life Cycle
LFP batteries have a longer lifespan than other types of lithium-ion batteries due to their low degradation rate. Meaning they can be charged quickly without significant battery damage, therefore leading to a longer lifespan.
LFP batteries can also withstand a larger number of charge and discharge cycles, meaning they can last longer before needing to be replaced.
Benefit 3: Cost-Effective
The materials used to produce LFP batteries are also relatively cheap compared to other types of lithium-ion batteries.
The main cathode materials used in LFP batteries are iron and phosphate, and they are in relative abundance in contrast to other battery metals. This makes them a cost-effective option for a variety of energy storage applications.
Benefit 4: Environmentally Sustainable
LFP batteries are environmentally sustainable because they are non-toxic and do not contain harmful heavy metals such as cobalt or nickel.
The materials used in these batteries are easier to source ethically, which makes them a more sustainable option than other types of lithium-ion batteries.
What’s Inside the Battery?
Most EVs utilize battery packs consisting of multiple individual battery cells. Similar to other types of lithium-ion batteries, LFP battery cells are made up of several components.
| Cathode | 43% |
| Anode | 31% |
| Electrolyte | 20% |
| Cell Container | 4% |
| Separator | 2% |
The cathode is the battery’s positive electrode and impacts its performance. It determines aspects such as energy capacity, charging and discharging speed, and the risk of combustion.
In LFP batteries, the cathode composition consists of three elements.
| Phosphate | 61% |
| Iron | 35% |
| Lithium | 4% |
Today, these batteries are becoming increasingly popular in standard-range EV models. LFP market share has significantly increased, reaching its highest share in the past decade at 30% of the market in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the LFP battery industry.
Click here to download First Phosphate’s Investor Deck now.
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