Renewable energy resources — such as wind, water or solar solutions — hold great promise. They could provide energy while overcoming Africa’s infrastructural challenges. But this energy would need to be stored and lithium ion batteries might provide a solution. Lithium ion, or Li-ion, batteries are a type of rechargeable battery. They are a popular choice because when well looked after, they can be drained and charged literally thousands of times, which makes them superior to commonly used lead acid batteries. Like other batteries used to store energy, these act as a buffer between power generation and consumption. The batteries are charged when power is available and then provide power when it is not. If Li-ion batteries could be manufactured in Africa on the appropriate scale, they would become cheaper and power users could rely more on renewable energy than they do now. This would open the path for clean, sustainable energy, mitigating the effects of climate change. It could also...
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