The solar industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. An important aspect of renewables, and the piece of the puzzle which makes them viable, is storage. The world is going to need more lithium batteries of all shapes and size, and fast. The demand for lithium is projected to grow five-fold by 2025. Extracting more lithium is necessary in the fight against climate change and the future of the planet. Chile has a renewable energy target of 20% by 2025 and a complete decarbonization by 2050.
The Lithium Triangle is the location of 54% of the world’s known lithium resources, stretching through Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. There are local Environmental concerns that should be addressed related to the extraction process. Overall, the pro’s outweigh the con’s, unlike other mining operations relating to coal and other fossil fuels. The world needs more lithium if we expect to make strides in reducing our carbon footprint.