Grid-scale batteries: They’re not just lithium

Comments

• hark@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

  Exciting to see all sorts of batteries for different applications. Is lithium-ion still standard for home power backup? I’ve heard characteristics of the new sodium-ion batteries being ideal for that use case.

  source

  • Alphane_Moon@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    It really is exciting to see alternative battery systems beginning to see wider commercialization.

    I am not aware of sodium-ion batteries for home use, I believe it’s mostly for industrial-scale battery systems. I could be wrong though, would be interested in learning more.

    In an apartment setting, IMO the current gold standard is LiFePO4 (Lithium iron phosphate) batteries.

    I live in Ukraine and we have constant problems with electricity supply (thank you dear russians). At times you have 1-2 full charge/discharge cycles per day on a 1 Kilowatt-hour battery system. Several LiFePO4 systems in my extended family seem to work close to baseline even after 1.5 years (not used daily though).

    I have not seen any options for sodium-ion batteries for home use, but this maybe a local thing.

    In a more rural/suburban setting, generators work as backup power supplies for most people. Typically only the well off get a high capacity LiFePO4 systems for house setting.

    source

    • GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

      Sodium ion batteries are really just hitting the mainstream. Prior to now, they appear to have been more from pilot projects/factories, but a couple large factories are being built now. I expect they will be very popular for stationary use in a couple years.

      source
  • Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    Good old lead acid is still quite popular in off grid and UPS systems, it’s still quite cost effective if size and weight isn’t much of an issue.

    source

    • I_Miss_Daniel@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

      Yes, but with a limited cycle life of typically 300 or so, significantly reduced if the battery is ever more than 50% discharged.

      source

      • -> View More Comments
• LodeMike@lemmy.today ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

  If you’re not limited by space isn’t lead-ion cheaper!

  source

  • dgmib@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    It is, but lead based chemistries tend to wear out and need replacing a lot sooner than lithium ion.

    You’re core idea is correct though, there’s a lot of battery techs that are cheaper / better when size and weight are irrelevant.

    source
• Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

  I wish there were more Nickel Iron (Edison) home battery options. Those run for over 100 years and are perfect for a home where size/weight don’t matter.

  source

  • cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago

    It’s very uncommon for them to last 100 years, but they do last a lot longer than any lithium or lead acid batteries. The charging efficiency is rather low, which is probably why you don’t see them used much.

    source