What are Energy or Battery Storage Systems?

Battery Storage or Energy Storage Systems are devices that allow the production of energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Energy Storage Systems are essential for energy coming from these renewable sources instead of fossil fuels. These energy storage systems play an important role in powering daily things such as homes, and buildings with green energy.

Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion Batteries are the current dominant storage technologies for large plants. Some daily objects that use lithium-ion batteries are mobile phones and electric cars. Furthermore, depending on the size of the battery, it powers different objects that require different amounts of energy. With this battery being so widely used, it must have some pros and cons. 

There are many advantages of lithium-ion batteries. One such advantage is the high energy density it produces. This is one of the most important advantages because it is important to have a high energy output while having a small, long-lasting battery that can fit in a phone for example. Another advantage is that lithium-ion batteries do not require maintenance for it to work. Unlike other batteries, such as Ni-Cad, no active maintenance is required while Ni-Cad needs maintenance to ensure that they do not exhibit memory effects. Lastly, another advantage is the cell voltage, as it produces around 3.6 volts which is higher than other batteries. Due to this, it requires less cells in battery applications and simplifies the power management. 

While there are many advantages to lithium ion batteries, there are also disadvantages. One very important disadvantage is the protection of the battery. Lithium ion cells are not as robust, or strong as other batteries and thus require protection from being overcharged, or discharged too far. Another huge disadvantage is the aging of the battery. Aging has a huge impact on the battery as it will need to be replaced after it has been used too much. Lastly, another disadvantage is that lithium ion batteries are expensive as they cost around 40% more than a normal battery, such as Ni-Cad cells. 

All in all, lithium-ion batteries have many advantages but also have disadvantages in the use of energy storage systems.

• https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-battery-storage

• https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/electronic_components/battery-technology/li-ion-lithium-ion-advantages-disadvantages.php