The Big Switch: Are Batteries the New Oil?

In the inaugural episode of "The Big Switch's" new season on batteries, host Dr. Melissa Lott explores the geopolitical dynamics transforming global battery supply chains. The episode dissects a lithium-ion battery to identify its core components and their origins, addressing the question of whether critical minerals are becoming the new oil. It features Alessandra Carrion, a Michigan Public Service Commissioner, who shares her experience in tracing battery supply chains, and insights from experts like Dan Steingart from Columbia University, who explains the intricacies of battery design and manufacturing. The episode further investigates China's dominance in critical mineral processing and refining, the implications of this control, and the potential risks of dependence. It also touches on the Inflation Reduction Act and its role in shaping the battery industry, as well as the need for international cooperation and diversified supply chains to ensure a sustainable and secure energy transition.