Whether the electrochemical energy storage show positive role to achieve the green and low-carbon goal in China

This study uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impacts of electrochemical energy storage (EES). We define the functional unit as the combined “Power source + EES” system at a representative Chinese station and establish cradle-to-grave boundaries covering production, transportation, operation, and disposal stage. Based on data from a specific EES, we construct a detailed lifecycle inventory and assess impacts across all stages. The results indicate that the LFP battery is the primary component to environmental burdens, accounting for over 70 % of the total impact in 7 out of 10 environmental impact categories. The operation stage emerges as the predominant phase, responsible for more than 65 % of the total lifecycle environmental burdens across 7 of the 10 categories. Environmental benefits primarily originate from increased renewable energy integration enabled by EES installation during the operation stage, whereas the disposal stage yields net environmental benefits across all impact categories except one. As renewable energy penetration rises, these benefits grow significantly, while burdens decline for all categories except two.