Lifecycle battery carbon footprint analysis for battery sustainability with energy digitalization and artificial intelligence

As an indispensable component and intermediate bridge, electrochemical battery as an indispensable component is essential for power supply reliability, stability, grid-friendly interaction, sustainability with e-transportation and building electrification. However, the lifecycle carbon intensity of electrochemical batteries is uncertain throughout lifecycle battery-related activities. In this study, a generic methodology is proposed to accurately quantify the lifecycle carbon intensity of electrochemical batteries. A cross-scale multi-stage analytic platform with inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary is formulated, involving battery materials (anode, cathode, electrolyte), charging/discharging behaviours, cascade battery utilization, recycling, and reproduction. A case study on a zero-energy district in subtropical Guangzhou indicates that lifetime EV battery carbon intensity is +556 kg CO2,eq/kWh for the scenario with pure fossil fuel-based grid reliance, while the minimum carbon intensity of EVs at −860 kg CO2,eq/kWh can be achieved for the solar-wind supported scenario. The grid mandatory EVs charging will slightly increase the battery carbon intensity to −617.2 kg CO2,eq/kWh, and the exclusion of embodied carbon on both solar PV and wind turbines will increase the battery carbon intensity to −583.8 kg CO2,eq/kWh. The proposed approach and formulated platform can enable synthetical and comprehensive analysis on battery sustainability, throughout integrated cross-disciplinary approaches for 2060 carbon neutrality in China.