The government of Chile has formed an entity to keep a majority stake in domestic lithium production with one of the two private companies that mine it, while also setting aside land for 13GWh of downstream energy storage projects.

Cost and availability of raw materials is the biggest among a number of challenges that must be addressed if US-made products will be able to meet demand for battery storage in the country.

The Chilean arm of France-based multinational utility Engie has started construction on a 68MW/418MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at an operational solar PV plant.

The lithium industry needs US$116 billion of investment to achieve the 5.7x ramp-up in production needed for 2030 decarbonisation goals, and prices may remain ‘tight’ in the coming years.

AES Andes, a subsidiary of US multinational AES Corporation, has completed the largest battery system project in Latin America with an output of 112MW.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) will commit US$192 million in funding towards advancing battery recycling technologies.

The president of Chile has proposed boosting state control over its lithium reserves, sending the share prices of companies involved in the extraction industry tumbling.

A fundamental rethink of the supply chain is required, writes Greg Pitt, VP of battery materials at Worley.

Imperial County has approved schemes to incentivise investment into lithium value chain, leveraging the region’s abundant brine resources.

Rules on battery sustainability, performance and labelling will become more stringent within the European Union (EU).