Lithium-ion battery has become the main energy storage solution in modern social life. Among them, lithium iron phosphate batteries are a perfect substitute for lead-acid batteries and are the first choice in the energy storage industry.

　　However, there is relatively little research on the manufacture of lithium batteries, and many researchers may not know the specific manufacturing methods of Li-ion batteries and how different processes affect cost, energy consumption and yield.

　　This article introduces the current main manufacturing technology of lithium batteries, and analyzes the cost, output and energy consumption.

　　The BatPac model of Argonne National Laboratory is used to calculate the manufacturing cost of lithium-ion batteries. The model is based on 67Ah LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622)/graphite batteries, with a factory scale of 100,000 EV battery packs/year.

　　Manufacturing costs include equipment depreciation, labor costs, and factory floor space costs. Labor costs are calculated based on the average US factory worker's wages of $15/h (American Institute of Economic Research, 2020).

　　The cost of floor space is calculated based on $3,000/m² per year (including rent, utilities, and management fees, Nelson et al., 2019).

　　The depreciation cost is calculated based on 16.7% of equipment investment and 5% of floor space cost (Nelson et al., 2019).

　　The detailed cost details, output and energy consumption of each process are shown in Table 1 and Figure 2. The drying of the electrode coating, battery formation and aging account for 48% of the entire manufacturing cost.

　　Table 1: Cost, output and energy consumption of LIB manufacturing process

　　The top three manufacturing processes in cost:

　　1. Formation and aging: 32.61%, time-consuming, low production efficiency, and large area

　　2. Coating/drying: 14.96%, high energy consumption for drying and solvent recovery

　　3. Battery packaging: 12.45%, heat-sealed or welded

　　Figure 2: Costs and energy consumption of various processes in lithium-ion battery manufacturing

　　Output is strongly related to manufacturing costs, and higher production efficiency can save labor costs and site rent. The energy consumption of 32Ah lithium manganate (LMO)/graphite battery production was measured in the pilot plant. Table 1 and Figure 2 give specific data. Due to the long time heating and exhaust gas cooling, the highest energy consumption process is drying and solvent recovery (about 47% of the total energy). Another major energy consumption is the dehumidification of the workshop, which consumes 29% of the total energy. This is mainly due to the low moisture requirement during the battery assembly process and the environmental humidity must be controlled.