Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology has become a cornerstone in the modern world of energy storage, powering a vast range of applications from consumer electronics to electric vehicles.
Why are lithium-ion batteries used in energy storage systems?
The popularity of lithium-ion batteries in energy storage systems is due to their high energy density, efficiency, and long cycle life. The primary chemistries in energy storage systems are LFP or LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide).
More specifically, Li-ion batteries enabled portable consumer electronics, laptop computers, cellular phones, and electric cars. Li-ion batteries also see significant use for grid-scale energy storage as well as military and aerospace applications. Lithium-ion cells can be manufactured to optimize energy or power density.
Lithium-ion batteries have a very high energy density. The high energy density means the batteries can store a large amount of energy in a small space footprint, making them ideal for applications where space is at a premium, such as in electric vehicles or energy storage systems.
Are lithium-ion batteries a good option for grid energy storage?
Lithium-ion batteries are also frequently discussed as a potential option for grid energy storage, although as of 2020, they were not yet cost-competitive at scale. Because lithium-ion batteries can have a variety of positive and negative electrode materials, the energy density and voltage vary accordingly.
Battery storage systems will play an increasingly pivotal role between green energy supplies and responding to electricity demands. Battery storage, or battery energy storage systems (BESS), are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most.
Are lithium-ion batteries a viable energy storage solution?
Lithium-ion batteries were developed by a British scientist in the 1970s and were first used commercially by Sony in 1991, for the company's handheld video recorder. While they're currently the most economically viable energy storage solution, there are a number of other technologies for battery storage currently being developed.