The world's biggest battery looks nothing like a battery | TED-Ed

The video explores various types of batteries, starting with lithium-ion batteries and their limitations, such as environmental impact and inefficiency for large-scale energy storage. It introduces pumped hydro storage using lakes and discusses the need for grid-scale batteries to achieve net-zero emissions. Innovative solutions like skyscraper batteries, molten salt storage, and bio batteries are presented as potential future technologies to meet global energy demands sustainably.

What is the primary function of a battery?

• To increase energy consumption

• To generate energy from scratch

• To store and release energy on demand

• To convert energy into matter

Why are grid-scale batteries necessary for the future?

• To eliminate the need for electricity

• To reduce the size of power plants

• To ensure continuous power supply from clean energy sources

• To increase the cost of electricity

What is a major limitation of lithium-ion batteries?

• They are too light to be used in vehicles

• They require heavy metals that are limited and environmentally damaging

• They can only store energy for a few minutes

• They are too cheap to produce

How does a skyscraper battery generate power?

• By using geothermal energy from the ground

• By harnessing solar panels on the windows

• By stacking and unstacking blocks using cranes

• By using wind turbines on top of the building

What is a unique feature of bio-batteries?

• They are powered by nuclear reactions

• They are made entirely of metal

• They use bacteria to generate electricity

• They require sunlight to function