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Electricity storage

A lithium ESS is an energy storage system that uses lithium-ion batteries to store electrical energy. These batteries have widely become the most popular option for residential and commercial applications due to several advantages:

Advantages of Li-ion ESS:

  • High energy density: They store more energy per unit volume and weight than traditional lead-acid batteries, allowing for more compact systems.
  • Long lifespan: They can undergo many charge and discharge cycles, offering a longer lifespan and better value for money.
  • High depth of discharge: They can be discharged to a greater depth (up to 80% or more) of their total capacity before requiring recharging, increasing the actual use of stored energy.
  • Low self-discharge rate: They lose little energy when not in use, minimizing energy losses.
  • High efficiency: They efficiently convert electrical energy into stored energy and vice versa, minimizing energy losses during charge and discharge cycles.
  • Simplified installation and maintenance: They are generally lighter and more compact than traditional batteries, making installation and maintenance easier.

Applications of Li-ion ESS:

  • Photovoltaic self-consumption: Storage of excess solar energy for later use, increasing energy self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on the grid.
  • Backup Power: Providing electricity in the event of a power outage, ensuring continuity of power for critical devices.
  • Grid adjustment: Helping to balance fluctuations in electricity supply and demand on the power grid.
  • Microgrid: Providing a reliable and stable energy source for off-grid or isolated microgrids.

Some points to consider:

  • Initial Cost: Li-ion batteries typically have a higher initial cost than lead-acid batteries.
  • Safety: Appropriate safety measures are necessary to manage the fire hazards inherent in all lithium-ion batteries.
  • Recycling: Responsible recycling is crucial to minimize the environmental impact of these batteries.

Li-ion ESSs offer an efficient and increasingly popular solution for energy storage, thanks to their high energy density, long life and high efficiency. Today, the cost of batteries has also decreased significantly. In addition to this, R&D is progressing quite quickly in this field, we already see solid batteries and Sodium batteries that have an even lower cost compared to Lithium. A very promising future for the energy storage market.