Solid-State Batteries for Energy Sovereignty in Ghana

Abstract

Reliable energy storage is the key bottleneck limiting the expansion of renewable energy in Ghana. While lithium-ion batteries are the current standard, they face challenges of cost, safety, and reliance on imported critical minerals. Solid-state batteries, which replace the flammable liquid electrolyte with a solid material, promise higher energy density and improved safety. This Masters in Computer Science proposal focuses on a strategic and locally-relevant challenge: developing a novel solid-state electrolyte using materials that are abundant in Ghana and the West African region, aiming to create a foundation for a domestic battery manufacturing ecosystem.

Key Research Questions for Solid-State Batteries in Ghana

1. Electrolyte Material Discovery from Local Minerals: Can a viable solid electrolyte be synthesized using processed minerals readily available in Ghana, such as manganese oxides or phosphates from the country's extensive deposits? The research will focus on creating a stable, ionically conductive ceramic or polymer-ceramic composite.
2. Electrode-Electrolyte Interface Engineering: A major challenge in solid-state batteries is maintaining good contact between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes during charging and discharging. How can we engineer this interface to ensure low resistance and long-term stability?
3. Scalable Synthesis Process: What is the most cost-effective and scalable method for synthesizing the developed electrolyte material in a Ghanaian industrial context? This involves comparing techniques like solid-state reaction, sol-gel synthesis, and co-precipitation.
4. Performance under Tropical Conditions: How does the performance (e.g., conductivity, cycle life) of the novel solid-state battery change under the high temperature and humidity conditions typical of Ghana?

Proposed Masters in Computer Science Research: A Manganese-Based Solid Electrolyte

The core of this research is the synthesis and characterization of a new solid electrolyte based on a manganese-oxide framework, leveraging Ghana's position as a major manganese producer.

• Material Synthesis: Synthesize various compositions of garnet-type or NASICON-type solid electrolytes, doping the crystal structure with manganese and other elements to optimize ionic conductivity.
• Electrochemical Characterization: Fabricate coin-cell batteries using the developed electrolyte. The battery's performance will be rigorously tested, measuring its ionic conductivity, charge/discharge capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability.
• Advanced Interface Analysis: Use advanced techniques like Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to study the interface between the electrolyte and the electrodes, identifying and mitigating sources of degradation.
• Techno-Economic Modeling: Develop a model to estimate the cost-per-kWh of the developed solid-state battery, comparing it to conventional lithium-ion batteries and assessing its economic viability for applications in Ghana, such as residential solar storage or grid stabilization.

Impact for Ghana and Africa

This fundamental materials science research could have transformative economic and strategic consequences. A successful project would create valuable intellectual property for Ghana in the booming energy storage sector. It would demonstrate a pathway to manufacturing next-generation batteries using local resources, reducing import dependency and creating a high-value domestic industry. By focusing on a technology that is inherently safer and more energy-dense than lithium-ion, this research would position Ghana to leapfrog the current battery paradigm and become a key player in the future of energy storage, a critical technology for unlocking the full potential of Africa's vast renewable energy resources.