Wirtschaft-Wunder 2024: Deutschland wird Akku-Weltmacht!

Summary

Germany is on the cusp of revolutionizing lithium extraction with a groundbreaking method called 'unlimited'. This innovative approach, developed by industry, politics, and science, efficiently captures lithium ions from geothermal sources without water waste or environmental pollution. The process not only promises to make Germany a leading lithium producer but also generates baseload electricity, turning a necessity into a profitable venture. This technological leap aims to reduce Germany's dependence on lithium imports, currently at 100%, and position the country as a key player in the global lithium market, crucial for battery and energy sectors.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Germany hosts one of the world's largest lithium deposits, with over 15 million tons dissolved in the Oberreheingraben's hot springs.
• 🚀 The 'unlimited' project, a collaboration between industry, politics, and science, has developed a revolutionary method for lithium extraction without water waste or environmental pollution.
• 💡 The innovative process uses an ion sieve, akin to a fishing net, to capture lithium ions from the hot springs, making the extraction highly efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
• ⚡ Surprisingly, this method not only extracts lithium but also generates baseload electricity, turning the energy-intensive process of lithium production into a profitable one.
• 🚗 Lithium is crucial for the technology, energy, and mobility sectors, being a key component in batteries and accumulators for devices like smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.
• 📈 The demand for lithium has tripled since 2017, with an expected tenfold increase by 2028, presenting a massive opportunity for Germany to become a leading lithium producer.
• 🔄 Currently, Germany is entirely dependent on lithium imports, with significant volumes coming from Chile, China, and other Asian regions, posing geopolitical and economic risks.
• 💧 The traditional lithium extraction method used globally, especially in Chile, involves evaporating lithium-rich water, which is problematic due to groundwater depletion and environmental contamination.
• 🔄 The 'unlimited' project's approach avoids these issues by integrating lithium extraction into geothermal power plants, using an ion sieve to capture lithium from the geothermal water without additional environmental impact.
• 🏭 Existing geothermal power plants can be retrofitted with this technology, and the 'unlimited' pilot plant successfully demonstrated lithium production in January 2023, paving the way for large-scale implementation.
• 🌟 The technology is not only competitive with global lithium production costs but also environmentally superior, potentially revolutionizing Germany's position as an industrial hub for lithium and electric mobility.

Q & A

What is the significance of lithium in the global market?

Lithium is considered a crucial raw material, being the fundamental building block for batteries and accumulators. It is essential for technology, energy, and mobility sectors, as it is required for a wide range of devices from smartphones to electric vehicles.

How much lithium is dissolved in the water of the Oberreheingraben in Germany?

Over 15 million tons of lithium are dissolved in the crystal-clear, blue shimmering water of the Oberreheingraben, according to analyses.

What is the 'unlimited' project, and what does it aim to achieve?

The 'unlimited' project is a collaborative effort between industry, politics, and science to develop a revolutionary new method for lithium extraction that is efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, without water waste or high energy costs.

How does the 'Lithium Fishernet' work?

The 'Lithium Fishernet' is a special ion sieve that captures lithium ions from the hot springs, similar to how a fishing net catches fish from the ocean. The thermal water flows through the sieve, and the lithium ions are trapped in the tiny cavities.

What is the potential of the lithium reserves in Germany for the economy?

The potential is enormous, as the technology could propel Germany to the forefront of lithium producers globally, marking a new era for the economy and reducing dependence on imports.

Why is Germany's current 100% reliance on lithium imports a problem?

Germany's complete reliance on lithium imports is problematic because it exposes the economy to supply chain disruptions, geopolitical power imbalances, and market price volatility, which can be manipulated by a few dominant actors.

How does the 'unlimited' project address the environmental concerns of traditional lithium extraction methods?

The 'unlimited' project addresses environmental concerns by developing a method that extracts lithium without causing groundwater depletion, water contamination, or harm to local flora, fauna, and indigenous communities.

What role do geothermal power plants play in the 'unlimited' project?

Geothermal power plants play a key role in the 'unlimited' project by providing a source of thermal water that can be used to extract lithium. The project ingeniously fuses lithium extraction with geothermal energy production.

What is the cost-effectiveness of the lithium extraction method developed by the 'unlimited' project?

The new technology is cost-competitive, with production costs of only 4000 € per ton of lithium, which is on par with production in countries like China, Malaysia, or Chile, but with the added benefit of also generating baseload electricity and causing no environmental issues.

What are the plans for utilizing the lithium extracted through the 'unlimited' project?

Several companies, including Besttech Hydrogen, EnBW, and Walkkan Energy, are planning to apply this technology on a large scale. AMG has announced plans to build a further processing plant for German lithium, and the Canadian company Rocktech plans to manufacture lithium hydroxide specifically for batteries.

How does the 'unlimited' project's approach to lithium extraction compare to traditional methods used in countries like Chile?

The 'unlimited' project's approach is more environmentally friendly and efficient than traditional methods, which often involve large-scale evaporation ponds that deplete groundwater resources and contaminate water, causing ecological and social issues.