New lithium battery can increase the efficiency of solar energy storage system to 95%

A research collaboration between the University of Southampton and REAPsystems found a new type of lithium battery. As a storage device for photovoltaic systems, the energy storage efficiency can be increased to 95%, which can significantly reduce the cost of solar power generation.

Most of the current photovoltaic systems also use lead-acid batteries as energy storage devices, but in comparison, lithium iron phosphate battery replacement can give full play to its advantages, including improving energy storage efficiency, extending service life, reducing unit costs and so on. This type of lithium battery is used as an energy storage device, which can increase the energy efficiency to 95%, far exceeding 80% of the traditional lead-acid battery, and has 1600 charge and discharge service lives.

The project was sponsored by REAPsystems and led by student Yue Wu and his supervisor Dr. Carlos Ponce de Leon, Professor Tom Markvart and Dr. John Low. The project specifically studied the use of lithium batteries as energy storage devices for photovoltaic systems.

Student Yue Wu said, "The lead-acid battery is the energy storage device that is traditionally used in most photovoltaic systems. However, as an energy storage device, lithium batteries, especially the LiFePO4 batteries we use, have more favorable features."

The collection of these data requires the connection of a lithium iron phosphate battery and a photovoltaic system, which is installed on the university's building and uses a specially designed battery management system provided by REAP systems.

Yue added that “research shows that this kind of lithium battery has 95% energy efficiency, while the current lead-acid battery is only about 80%. Lithium batteries are lighter in weight and have longer use than lead-acid batteries. Lifetime: The number of charge and discharge cycles can reach 1600 cycles, which means that they do not need to be replaced frequently."

Although the battery needs further testing before it is put into the commercial photovoltaic power generation system. However, studies have shown that LiFePO4 batteries are expected to increase the efficiency of solar power systems and help reduce their installation and maintenance costs. Dr. Carlos PoncedeLeon and Dr. John Low are planning to conduct further project research with a group of new students.

Dr. Dennis Doerffel, founder of REAPsystems and a former researcher at the University of Southampton, said: “For various energy sources (renewable or non-renewable), energy storage devices, such as batteries, play an important role in energy use, with traditional lead-acid batteries. In comparison, LiFePO4 cells have higher efficiency, longer life, lighter weight, and lower cost. We hope to see this kind of battery being widely used in photovoltaic systems and other renewable energy systems."