7.2.10 (HL)—Battery storage requirements

Large-scale batteries can balance renewable electricity, but their climate benefit depends on a material supply chain that also creates emissions, pollution and political risk.

Stage	Benefit or pressure
Mining	lithium, cobalt and rare-earth elements are concentrated in particular countries; extraction can damage land and water
Processing and transport	energy use, toxins and emissions occur before a battery reaches the grid
Use	stored surplus can be released during shortfalls and reduce fossil backup
End-of-life	recovery and recycling can reduce new mining, but collection and processing are still required

For lithium batteries, mine and processing impacts may occur far from the electricity user; concentrated supply and global demand can create dependence and geopolitical tension.

Judge storage by grid service, lifetime, mineral origin, processing, pollution, recycling and supply concentration.

Charging with renewable electricity does not erase the battery's mining, manufacturing or end-of-life impacts.