Comparing Battery Technology

Comparing Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries modules have considerably greater energy density making them particularly suitable for numerous applications. Lithium is considered safer, less toxic, and more energy efficient with significantly longer cycle life. Many technology companies are currently producing new models that increase energy output power and duration while decreasing the physical size and weight of the batteries.

Compared to Lead Acid
Commonly used in starter batteries for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles Lead Acid is normally a low-cost secondary battery, composed of a Lead-dioxide cathode, a sponge metallic Lead anode and a Sulphuric acid solution electrolyte. The heavy metal element makes Lead Acid batteries toxic and improper disposal can be hazardous to the environment.

Disadvantages of Lead Acid batteries include

• Failure between several hundred and 2,000 cycles
• Comparatively low energy density,
• Long charge time
• Careful maintenance requirements

Compared to Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)
Disadvantages include:

• High rate of self-discharge at high temperature.
• Cadmium is highly toxic
• Use in batteries is controlled
• Environmental recycling issues
• Memory effect is one of the biggest disadvantages to using NiCd.

Compared to Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) suffers from:

• Poor charge retention
• Memory effect
• Higher cost

Sodium (Na-NiCl2) so-called zebra battery.

• When not in use zebra batteries typically require to be left on charge, in order to be ready for use when needed.

• If shut down,the reheating process lasts 24 hours, and then a normal charge process of 6-8 hours is required for a full charge.
• Inefficiency due to energy consumption when not in use.