Lithium Battery

What is a Lithium Battery?

Batteries that have lithium as their anode are called lithium batteries. The charge moves from anode to cathode during discharge and cathode to anode during charging. Lithium batteries were introduced way back in 1980-1990s. These batteries have completely revolutionized the portable electronics market such as cellular telephones and laptop computers. Today lithium batteries are finding increased applications in electronics, electric cars, and solar markets. Given its lightweight, high energy density and efficiency, lithium batteries are used in a wide range of portable consumer electronic devices, medical equipment, power backups, solar storage and in electric vehicles.

How does Lithium Battery differ from Lead Acid Battery?

Lead-acid batteries use plates of lead and lead oxide in a sulfuric acid solution. Commonly used in cars and trucks these batteries are also rechargeable. Lead-acid batteries are less expensive, but they have a shorter lifespan and require regular maintenance. Lithium batteries are much more expensive up front, but they are maintenance-free and have a longer lifespan. The leading popularity of lead-acid batteries is due to the fact that these are not only dependable but are also very cheap. However, this technology is old and technicians prefer lithium batteries to better suit the purpose, given its higher efficiencies and densities. Lithium batteries are more efficient and charge faster when compared to lead-acid batteries. Lithium is a premium battery technology with a longer lifespan and higher efficiency.

What is the need for Lithium Batteries?

As already mentioned, lithium batteries are finding increasing application in emerging technologies. Solar is already cheaper than coal and this trend is only going to accelerate. However, the biggest problem with solar systems is that they have to depend on the electricity grid for storing excess power generated during the day and drawing power from the grid at night. This is done because the electricity grid acts as a free source of energy storage for the solar panel systems. However, industry soon realized that this is not a feasible option in the long run as utilities are the biggest competitors for solar. Hence, they began to use a self-reliant storage option to support the flawless working of solar system.

Solar energy plus storage is already gained traction since economics is driving the faster adoption of solar systems paired with lithium batteries. These batteries are very versatile and besides storing energy for the house, they can also be used in wholesale energy markets for providing capacity and frequency regulation. Solar plus storage option with lithium batteries are also being considered as a serious option for islands as they find it cheaper to use solar plus storage instead of shipping expensive and dirty oil/ diesel to provide power to its residents. Remote area where electricity is not available, such as rural areas, hill stations, small shops, etc. will greatly benefit from these lithium batteries to be used as a storage option with the environment friendly solar systems.

Advantage of Lithium Battery over Existing Technologies

1. Logistics

The main benefits of Lithium Battery is portability, that means we can carry anywhere whereas we need. We never think about overflow of acid from battery.

2. Fast Charging - Charging within 2 hours.

Lithium batteries charge and recharge much faster than lead-acid batteries. As solar expert's experience is that Lithium Battery can charge within 2 hours where as Lead Acid battery takes almost 10 hours to charge full battery. We know that incoming mobile battery charges in small time and gives full day backup. 

3. Maintenance Free

Lithium batteries do not require any maintenance to ensure their performance. Few other types of batteries like nickel-cadmium cells require discharge to prevent memory effect. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, have no memory effect which means that they do not have to be completely discharged before recharging.

5. High Efficiency

Lithium batteries offer reliable, stable, long-lasting power. Their energy density is higher, which means they have high power capacity. This high energy density enables its usage in devices which have high power requirements like laptops and mobile phones.

6. Cycle Life - More than 3000 times

These batteries have a lifespan of over ten years on an average. They can also handle more than 3000 times of charge-discharge cycles.

Lithium batteries are generally smaller and lighter in weight. This is a big advantage which helps its application in various portable consumer electronic devices.

Disadvantages of Lithium Batteries

There are few major points that may impact Lithium battery market, as follow:

i) Expensive

Though the cost of lithium battery is constantly falling, it is still higher than that of Nickel-cadmium cells. However, given its large number of applications, progress is being made towards improving the technology and reducing cost.

ii) Inverter Compatibility

At this time, Lithium Battery is using in Automobile and DC Applications. When we talk about Is Lithum Battery Using in Homes? Then I can say - Very Rare Case. 

How much does the price of Lithium Battery?

Lithium battery costs have already fallen by around 60-70% in the last few years and this trend is expected to continue with massive investments, improving technology and processes. It is estimated that almost 73% of the total lithium battery storage is manufactured in China and the Middle Kingdom has plans to set up many multi gigawatt plants in the future as well. Given the cost sensitivity in the Indian market, manufacturers find it very profitable to source batteries from China rather than procuring from the domestic market where there is not much capacity anyway. While China is moving towards high quality and better density batteries, it finds it useful to dump lower quality products in India.

The price of 12Ah – 12.8V Lithium Battery is Rs. 3,500. The price of Lithium Battery is almost three times higher than lead acid battery, but next 2-3 years, the cost of Lithium Battery will two times higher than Lead acid battery. The range of Lithium Battery is 12.5 Ah, 20 Ah, 80 Ah, 1OO Ah & 120 Ah available on loom solar store.

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