Are you interested in using rechargeable batteries? Check out this overview of rechargeable battery types in 2023 to find your match.
Batteries are big business because of their usefulness and versatility. It's a business that is valued at more than $104 billion today. Whether you're dealing with electric vehicles, personal consumer electronics, power plants, or any other form of energy use, it pays to have access to the best batteries available.
Knowing these rechargeable battery types will help you when you're ready to start shopping.
In evaluating the optimal rechargeable battery, factors such as energy density, cycle life, and safety should be prioritized.
Energy density, indicating how much energy a battery can store relative to its weight, is particularly crucial in applications like electric vehicles where overall performance is impacted by the battery's weight.
Cycle life, denoting how many charge-discharge cycles a battery can endure before it can only hold 80% of its original capacity, correlates with a battery's longevity.
And Safety is key given the potential for thermal runaway in batteries, especially Lithium-Ion.
Knowing what you're trying to get from the battery will play a large role in the decision because you'll understand your needs and will be better able to find the density, longevity, and safety requirements that will work for you.
From there, consider the different sizes available so that you purchase the exact type that you need. It also pays to look into the best manufacturers available so that you're able to get quality from whatever purchase you make. Find out how consumers used the battery and what kind of conditions it was in after several uses.
Some batteries deal with swelling, leaking, and other issues after constant use, charging, and discharging. Look into some warranties and protection plans so that you have no problem getting the best from your battery for however long you own it and use it.
Rechargeable batteries should, by their nature, last a long time. Therefore, they should be worth the investment so long as you do due diligence in choosing the right type. This applies whether you're looking to purchase a new battery for your electric vehicle, smartphone, or any other application that you're looking into.
What are some of the different rechargeable battery types that you can look into? Now that you understand the various options available, it's important that you use these suggestions as you shop for a quality offering that will keep you charged.
Since they're rechargeable, you'll get a lot of great use from these battery options and will power whatever devices or applications that require them.
If you're weighing your battery options, lithium is one of the most useful types that you can explore. People and companies look into lithium when they're interested in using batteries that last a long time. Not only is this a type of rechargeable battery, but it also lasts more than ten times longer than regular lead acid varieties.
Lithium batteries, commonly divided into Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), Lithium Polymer (Li-Po), and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), boast high energy densities and long cycle lives.
For instance, LiFePO4, with its safety advantages and lengthy cycle life, is becoming popular in the energy storage sector. These batteries typically have a nominal voltage of 3.6-3.7 volts per cell and can handle a large number of full charge-discharge cycles, usually around 500-1000.
Using lithium batteries allows you to get more than 2,000 cycles, so that you can continuously charge and recharge them without an issue and while maintaining excellent performance. It's a form of batteries than many investors are looking into today due to its potential and viability, especially in energy storage.
That longevity is what you're looking for when you decide to purchase rechargeable batteries, and it's also one reason automakers are looking to put in their cars.
Consumers and companies both appreciate lithium ion batteries because they're a cleaner form of energy that is also long-lasting. Lithium-ion, or Li-Io, is a type of battery that is made with lithium and also comes with multiple cells. They also come with circuit boards that are used as a form of protection to add to the longevity of the battery.
Lithium-Ion batteries owe their name to the process of charge transfer during discharge, where lithium ions migrate from the anode to the cathode, creating an electric current. The reverse process occurs during charging. These batteries have energy densities of approximately 150-265 Watt-hours per kilogram in their current generation, enabling them to deliver high levels of power while retaining a compact size.
Companies are constantly innovating on these batteries, like Panasonic who just announced it would aim to produce higher energy density lithium ion batteries.
These batteries are useful in a variety of applications. Some of the main reasons that people use lithium ion batteries include consumer electronics, electric vehicles, household appliances, and a variety of other uses.
You will also see these batteries used frequently in the best smartphones and tablets on the market. You will appreciate these batteries because they charge fast, are easily rechargeable, can be charged wirelessly, and aren't as subject to damage when discharging.
Lithium is fairly abundant on Earth, with an estimated 88 million tons existing in nature. However, only about a quarter of this, around 22 million tons, is economically viable to extract, based on the current technology and market conditions.
Most of the world's lithium - about 46.9% of the total production - comes from Australia, where it's extracted directly from hard rock. However, it's not the only place we find lithium. Other countries, like Chile, Argentina, and China, tap into salt flats to extract lithium-rich brine. Between these two methods, brine extraction is generally less expensive.
Neither process is particularly kind to Mother Nature. Hard rock mining disturbs land, consumes substantial amounts of energy, and generates waste rock. Brine extraction, while it emits fewer CO2 tons, can disrupt local water sources and ecosystems due to high water usage.
Here's where the story gets a bit complicated: though Earth is home to an estimated 88 million tons of lithium, only a quarter of it is currently worth the effort and cost of mining. That said, as technology and market conditions evolve, we can probably tap into a larger share of these reserves.
There's a clock ticking on this. We're increasingly reliant on lithium to power our lives, and it takes a good few years to get a lithium mine operational. If the demand continues to outpace the supply, we might need to fast-track our mining processes, which could mean some serious environmental challenges.
However, the picture isn't all gloomy. There are innovators out there doing their part to make lithium mining greener.
Take a mining operation in Manitoba, Canada - they're aiming to become a renewable lithium operation, using hydroelectric energy and phasing out diesel-burning machinery. Then there's the exciting world of lithium recycling, which could be a game changer in making our lithium reserves last longer.
Sodium ion batteries are another type that people and companies find useful for different reasons.
These batteries are almost a 1:1 comparison to lithium ion batteries and they share many of the same characteristics. Instead of lithium being the primary power source, these batteries are powered by sodium. You will also note that sodium ion batteries became more prominent in the 2010s and have become more popular throughout the years.
Sodium ion batteries are similar in composition to lithium ion batteries and also share many of the same benefits. For example, these batteries are long-lasting, can be frequently charged and discharged, and are versatile in nature.
Technically, sodium-ion batteries operate at a lower voltage, translating to lower energy densities compared to lithium-ion batteries. H
Sodium's abundance and consequent cost-effectiveness, along with its environmental benefits, make it an attractive alternative.
Although the energy density is lower at around 90 Wh/kg, the batteries are considered ideal for grid-scale storage applications. For more on sodium ion batteries, check out our recent article on the subject here.
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries are typically used to power consumer electronics. They look similar to standard batteries, and come in a variety of different battery sizes. These batteries are high-powered and allow you to put some horsepower behind some of the most long-lasting and useful applications.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are regularly used in tools, such as your run of the mill power drills, saws, and other types of portable power tools.
Small and portable nickel-cadmium batteries are also used in hobby toys like remote control cars, helicopters, and other fun time vroom-vroom machines. These batteries are long-lasting and will give you the chance use them again and again when they are recharged correctly.
NiCd batteries, renowned for their ability to deliver high surge currents, are prone to 'memory effect'—a phenomenon reducing battery capacity when discharged partially repetitively. The energy density of NiCd batteries usually lies in the range of 40-60 Wh/kg. NiCd batteries also contain toxic heavy metals, raising environmental concerns.
You should also get to know nickel metal hydride and its significance as an energy source. These batteries come in high capacities and allow you to pack more energy into a tiny cell. Nickel metal hydride batteries have a higher discharge rate, a higher operating temperature, and also, have a wider range of temperatures in which they operate.
Nickel metal hydride battery can also operate at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius and as high as 85 degrees Celsius - what a range!
They have a higher operating temperature and can easily be transported by air without as many restrictions. These batteries can be made with different sizes and come with high energy densities.
Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries, with a slightly higher energy density of 60-120 Wh/kg, are less susceptible to the memory effect than NiCd batteries. However, their lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries restricts their use to certain applications requiring less compact, high-energy storage.
Lead-acid batteries, the cornerstone of energy storage and the automotive industry, are being compelled to evolve. For decades, critics predicted the industry's demise, but lead-acid batteries continue to dominate, despite rapid and demanding changes in application requirements and the growth of alternatives like lithium-ion batteries. However, the scope of their dominance could be shrinking, especially in sectors where the inherent limitations of the technology can't compete.
A hallmark of lead-acid batteries, such as their use in the automotive industry for starting and micro-hybrids, remains unchallenged. Although lithium-ion options offer improved cold-crank capabilities, they fall short of lead-acid performance, and are persistently more expensive. Yet, lead-acid technology struggles to infiltrate markets with power needs beyond 48V, which are firmly held by nickel-metal-hydride and lithium-ion battery technology.
Even in the industrial sector, rapid charging and storage of renewable energy appear to be fertile grounds for future lead-acid applications. Here too, however, lithium-ion batteries, though pricier, are emerging as serious competitors. To maintain a competitive edge, the lead-acid industry must innovate, leveraging knowledge gained from carbon substances and additives that can enhance high-rate performance. New cell design technologies, like the bipolar concept and spiral wound design, could further elevate the value proposition for lead-acid batteries.
Concurrently, concerns around self-discharge and the potential for cell failure due to short circuits after long use or poor maintenance present challenges. Strategies to manage these issues, such as reversing the discharging process inside the cell, can mitigate these risks.
While lead-acid batteries may face stiff competition in certain markets, they remain the most cost-effective solution for uninterruptible power supply. Even with other chemistries offering better durability at extreme temperatures, the cost differential sustains the lead-acid's advantage. Nickel-cadmium and lithium-based options, though more durable under tough conditions, carry a significant cost premium. Therefore, for standby power, lead-acid batteries are likely to remain mainstream, albeit with some fluctuations between traditional flooded and VRLA batteries.
These ongoing developments provide a complex, yet promising, outlook for the future of lead-acid batteries. With innovation and strategic adaptation, they continue to hold a prominent place in our energy landscape.
You can also look into a sealed lead acid battery if you're interested in the best battery types available. These are typically heavy-duty batteries that range in voltage and capacity, 12V and up, and from 14AH to more than 55AH. The lead-acid inside of the battery comes in a thick gel so that it is less susceptible to leakage.
This also makes it so that the gel doesn't cause contamination or safety issues. These batteries are also sophisticated forms of technology that come with ventilation systems that prevent the battery from getting too hot, swelling, and creating issues. You will find sealed lead acid batteries used in several different applications as well, such as golf carts, power outage backups, medical equipment, and a host of other uses.
Recognized for their robustness and high surge current delivery, Sealed Lead Acid batteries, come with a lower cost per watt-hour, making them an economical choice for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Their energy density is around 30-40 Wh/kg, but their higher weight compared to other battery technologies limits their applications.
Born in the 1800s, it has continuously adapted to shifts in technology, its inherent value catalyzing an impressive recycle rate of over 95%. This figure surpasses the recovery rates of newer lithium- and nickel-based batteries, making lead-acid batteries a crucial, sustainable link in global energy practices.
Around 80% of the world's lead output gets consumed in these batteries. The widespread use of these devices is evidenced by the fact that secondary lead, harvested from recycled batteries, bolsters the world's annual lead production of 8.4 million tons.
This cyclical use of lead is further streamlined by easy collection and extraction methods, enabling a near-continuous flow of refined lead from secondary smelters to end users. In fact, battery scrap has become the most dominant feed for smelters. This trend is expected to intensify as battery scrap supply continues to increase, offsetting the diminishing lead concentrates.
Despite significant advancements in other battery technologies, the lead-acid battery remains a heavyweight due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of recycling, and the straightforward charging process. The battery's power density, although showing a notable decrease at lower temperatures, still clocks in at a respectable 150W/kg.
Lead-acid batteries, like many mature technologies, have had to navigate hurdles. As alternate battery systems present potential threats, the industry must grapple with the lead-acid battery's dwindling depth of discharge and dependency on lead, a hazardous and regulated substance.
Yet, they persist in powering various applications, including vehicles. They were the driving force behind early 20th-century electric cars and have more recently found a place in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The evolution of bipolar lead-acid technology aims to increase power and reduce size, making HEVs more affordable.
These batteries have also found a place in the energy storage landscape. While their low volumetric energy density makes them less ideal for energy management, they have proven reliable for power applications and show promise for improved designs.
The future of the lead-acid battery looks bright, shaped by cost-effective portable energy storage solutions, more affordable HEVs, and novel design advancements, ensuring it continues to play a key role in the global energy ecosystem.
Zinc-carbon batteries, often referred to as 'dry cells', are one of the best available battery types because of their versatility. It's a type of dry cell battery that generates plenty of electric currents and gives you the chance to use high-quality battery energy storage that won't easily drain or falter.
These batteries have been a staple in the energy market for 140 years, powering devices like transistor radios, toys, flashlights, and remote controls.
There are two major types in use today – the Leclanché and zinc chloride systems. The Leclanché battery found its footing in the market in the 1860s due to the affordability of these components.
Thanks to the use of readily available and inexpensive materials like zinc for the anode, they've very economic. They also use manganese dioxide for the cathode, and either ammonium chloride or zinc chloride (double zinc, shout out!) as the electrolyte.
Zinc chloride tech, introduced around in the 1960s, provided improved performance for high-drain applications, which reduced cell leakage in these bats, making carbon zinc boys even more reliable.
Carbon zinc batteries have high energy density and are a reliable form of technology. These batteries have been with us since the early 1900s, and with each consecutive release, manufacturers continue to build upon the technology.
They remain some of the most widely used primary batteries globally. Although it's worth calling out that their popularity is waning in the U.S. and Europe.
However, their low cost, accessibility, and satisfactory performance make them an important power supply in developing countries - and one you should consider for your needs.
Zinc-carbon bats consists of zinc metal anode and a manganese dioxide (MnO2) cathodes, which incorporates acetylene black to enhance conductivity and electrolyte absorption, too.
Most zinc-carbon batteries are cathode-limited, and the anode also serves as the battery can. These batteries can be operated inside of a wide temperature range, from -7 to +50 degrees Celsius -- that's a lot of Celsius!
Commercial zinc-carbon primary batteries provide a specific energy of 55-75 Wh kg−1 and an energy density of 120-150 Wh dm−3.
Interestingly, they perform better when discharged intermittently as opposed to continuously. Rest periods allow the concentration polarization at the zinc anode surface to dissipate, which improves performance, especially at heavier drains.
The battery industry has addressed some of the issues with these bad boys via the introduction of zinc chloride cells, which use a ZnCl2 paste. These cells show improved performance in heavy-duty applications with comparatively low leakage issues.
While slowly being eclipsed by newer technologies in the more developed parts of the world, these batteries still hold a significant presence in the global market. Their use has actually grown in Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America, and they still command a considerable market size, exceeding 30 billion cells per year worldwide.
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