Which Battery Will Power Our Future? | Dave Borlace (Just Have a Think⁩)

Which Battery Will Power Our Future? | Dave Borlace (Just Have a Think⁩)

Author: Hugo Rauch August 7, 2025 Duration: 53:03

Batteries are the backbone of the energy transition. From grid-scale storage to next-gen chemistries, the world is racing to shape a trillion-dollar industry.

But what are the fundamental differences between battery types? And which are actually game-changers?

To explore the battery market, I’m joined by Dave Borlace, the voice behind Just Have a Think, a YouTube channel trusted by 600,000+ people for its break down of complex climate and energy topics into compelling narratives.

***

What we discussed:

Why battery tech is essential for the future of the grid

A breakdown of 6 battery types (from lithium-ion to aluminium-ion)

How China took the lead in battery manufacturing

What metrics matter: energy density, cycle life, cost, safety, and weight

… and more!

***

Where to find Dave Borlace:

YouTube: Just Have a Think

LinkedIn: Dave Borlace

***

(00:00) Introduction

(01:33) Batteries and the Energy Transition

(10:45) Lithium-Ion Dominance

(24:49) Exploring Lithium-Sulfur

(31:04) Is Sodium-Ion Viable?

(35:07) The Promise of Solid-State Batteries

(38:53) Incumbents vs. Innovators

(42:07) What’s Up with Flow Batteries?

(47:06) The Potential of Aluminum Batteries

(49:58) Rapid Fire Questions 🔥

***

This episode is a bit different from our usual format. Typically, I sit down with climate investors, angels, VCs, and PEs. But this time, I wanted to try something new.

It's summer, and I thought it was the perfect moment to invite Dave Borlace, creator of Just Have a Think and one of the clearest voices on climate technology, to break down the battery landscape for us.

He's not an investor, but he’s a brilliant educator.

I hope you enjoy this special episode as much as I did.

***

Leave a review:

Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg

Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
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