The Best Lithium Battery Uses
Lithium batteries are among the most crucial advancements in the modern world. Because of them, we have portable electricity that powers gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and tablets.
Lithium batteries also play a critical role in some of the biggest technological breakthroughs in the 21st century. For instance, tech giants like Tesla use them to power electric cars and solar power storage solutions.
That begs the question; why are lithium batteries increasingly popular?
Apart from reducing the carbon footprints in our world, lithium batteries have a high-energy density and low self-discharge rate when not in use. As a result, they store and supply energy for a long time.
Additionally, rechargeable lithium batteries withstand frequent charging and discharging with the least effects on their lifespan. For that reason, they are durable, reducing the need for battery replacement.
So whether you want batteries for domestic or commercial use, here are the best applications of lithium batteries.
1. Storing Solar Power
There are times when the sun doesn’t shine or days your solar equipment needs repair. In such circumstances, you wouldn’t want to lack power in your home.
Lithium batteries are the best match for your solar panels because they charge fast, allowing you to leverage solar power storage from each day of sunlight. In addition, lithium batteries offer low-resistance charging, which is what solar panels produce.
That said, here’s a detailed explanation of why lithium batteries are best suited for solar power storage.
They Have a High Depth of Discharge (DoD)
The depth of discharge is the amount of drained energy in a battery compared to the battery capacity. For example, if your battery has a capacity of 8kWh, and you discharge 6kWh, the depth of discharge is 6/8, which equals 75%.
The DoD determines how much energy you can drain from a battery. A lithium battery for solar energy storage has a high depth of discharge, usually ranging between 80%–95%. As a result, you get to use more of the energy stored in the battery without frequently charging it.
In short, the higher the DoD of a battery, the more you can use the energy it stores.
They Have High Energy Density
The energy density of a lithium battery is the amount of power it can hold compared to its physical size. Lithium solar batteries can store a lot of energy in a small space, usually 100–265Wh/kg, depending on the type of lithium-ion battery you’re using.
For that reason, lithium solar batteries supply energy steadily and are space-saving in your home or commercial facility.
Lithium Batteries Have a Long Lifespan
Lithium batteries are durable due to:
- High energy density
- Low self-discharge rate
- High depth of discharge
These features enable lithium batteries to store and supply energy for long before you recharge them.
That said, most rechargeable lithium batteries have a cycle life of 3000 cycles translating to a life span ranging between 10–15 years, depending on storage conditions and usage.
2. Powering Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles use rechargeable batteries to reduce carbon emissions. While you can choose from various batteries, lithium batteries are best suited for electric cars.
Unlike unsealed lead-acid batteries that require periodic water top-offs, such maintenance procedures are unnecessary in lithium batteries because they are permanently sealed.
In addition, lithium batteries have a lower self-discharge rate than most rechargeable cells like nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydrides. The reason is, they have a high resistance layer between the anode and the cathode that restricts self-discharge chemical reactions.
Lithium-ion batteries can self-discharge only about 5% in the first 24 hours after a full charge. The self-discharge rate reduces to 1–2% per month, ensuring the batteries store and supply energy for a long period.
As a result, lithium batteries for electric vehicles offer reliable power that allows owners to explore remote locations comfortably.
Most lithium batteries are also suitable for electric cars because they are light. The batteries’ electrodes are made of lightweight lithium and carbon, reducing the general weight of your vehicle.
Despite their weight, they store a lot of energy because lithium is a reactive element that packs plenty of power in its atomic bonds.
Additionally, lithium batteries are durable due to their high energy density and low self-discharge rate. These features enable the battery to store and supply power without frequent recharging, giving them a long life span.
3. Power Sources for Portable Devices
With portable electronic devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets getting smaller, lithium battery manufacturers have developed powerful smaller cells.
For instance, Li-ion 18650 batteries are common in laptops. They are cylindrical and are about 18mm in diameter by 65mm long.
But their small size shouldn’t make you overlook their power storage capability. You can use about four to six Li-ion 18650 batteries to operate a typical notebook computer for hours.
On the other hand, Lithium-polymer batteries are trending in ultra-slim notebooks, tablets, and smartphones. These batteries are thin and rectangular to save space in their applications.
What’s more, some portable devices like wristwatches use non-rechargeable coin lithium batteries with a limited operating lifetime. Fortunately, they store a lot of energy that can last for more than a year before replacement.
4. Emergency Power Backup Solutions
Lithium batteries have a steady energy supply, making them suitable for power backup systems.
These systems provide electricity during blackouts or power instability. They enable a continuous power supply to devices like communication and medical machines in a facility.
You can also use the power backup solutions to safely shut down appliances or run lights in your home during power outages.
That said, the common types of lithium batteries used in emergency power backup solutions are:
- Lithium iron phosphate
- Lithium manganese oxide
These batteries are used in different emergency power backup systems due to their high energy density and performance. These systems include:
- Online uninterruptible power supply systems that offer constant energy with zero time delays when switching from the primary grid to the backup power source.
- Offline uninterruptible power supply systems with a switching speed (from the main grid to backup source) range between 2–5 seconds.
With that in mind, lithium battery backup solutions are better than fuel-operated backup generators because of three reasons.
Lithium batteries require less maintenance than generators since no refuelling is needed, making them more affordable over time. In addition, lithium batteries have zero carbon emissions since they don’t use fuel, which makes them environmentally friendly.
What’s more, lithium battery power backup doesn’t operate on an engine like fuel generators; hence zero noise. For this reason, they are more comfortable for you and your neighbours when in action.
That said, ensure your power backup solution can sustain your energy needs. So when sizing your battery bank for power backup, have enough lithium batteries. You can track your daily power usage to know the correct number of batteries to supply electricity during blackouts conveniently.
5. Powering Digital Cameras
Lithium batteries are increasingly popular in digital cameras. They can be smaller and lighter than other battery types while holding the same energy. This advantage makes them fit small spaces in digital cameras.
Additionally, you can recharge lithium batteries multiple times with the least effect on their performance. For this reason, lithium batteries for digital cameras are long-lasting, saving you money on replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rechargeable lithium batteries better than unsealed lead-acid?
Unsealed lead-acid batteries are cheaper, but regular water top-offs make them a hassle to maintain. They are also limited to upright installation to avoid electrolyte leakages from the top of the batteries.
On the other hand, rechargeable lithium batteries are sealed, meaning that you can mount them in any orientation without worrying about leakages. Additionally, procedures like regular water top-offs are unnecessary, making them easier and cheaper to maintain over time.
In short, unsealed lead-acid batteries are cheaper to buy but expensive to maintain. In contrast, rechargeable lithium batteries are expensive to buy but more affordable to maintain.
What’s the environmental impact of lithium batteries?
Lithium is less toxic to the environment than metals like lead and cadmium in battery technologies. However, the reckless disposal of lithium batteries creates a fire hazard.
So instead of disposing of used lithium batteries in household garbage or municipal bins, take them to a nearby recycling or household hazardous waste collection point near you.
What are the storage requirements of lithium-ion batteries?
Store your lithium batteries at room temperature. Avoid extreme cold or hot conditions like inside a refrigerator and direct sunlight. Prolonged exposures to such temperatures can damage your battery.
