Lithium Batteries

Advantages of Lithium batteries

The most common lithium-ion batteries used as self-consumption lithium batteries are lithium-phosphate batteries, also known as LFP or LiFePo4.

There are many advantages of buying lithium-ion batteries for self-consumption. Among them we highlight:

- Although they have a higher initial price than lead-acid batteries, they are cheaper in terms of stored energy, as their useful life in cycles is much longer and we can discharge them to a greater depth of discharge (DoD). This is because LiFePO4s maintain a virtually constant voltage during discharge almost until they are empty, which makes these batteries able to deliver almost all their stored energy until they are completely discharged. This feature also makes it easy to expand existing battery banks, which is almost impossible with lead-acid batteries.

- Lithium-ion batteries are more manageable and fit in anywhere available. They are much lighter, as they have a very high energy density, so they can even be hung on the wall (like the LG Chem or the famous Tesla battery).  Besides, they do not emit gases and are safe in any space in the home, which makes them very easy to install for use as lithium batteries for self-consumption.

Depending on their voltage, they can be classified as high or low voltage. The high voltage ones, between 200 and 660V, such as the Tesla battery, are used for medium or large installations, as a way of trying to slightly improve the system's performance. But low-voltage batteries are gaining ground on the latter. The most common model is the 48V, but there are 12V and 24V lithium batteries, and various less standard voltages.

What can I expect from a Lithium battery

From tienda-solar we recommend the use of lithium batteries for self-consumption because users get a battery that is easy to fit in any room of the house, with a very large technical versatility and without maintenance during a long life, which can exceed 20 years in some cases.

If you are tired of lead-acid batteries that with intensive use die after a few years (even a year), this is your technology. In it, you find an incredible battery endurance up to almost 100% of the stored energy. Although it is recommended not to exceed 80% of the discharge, this is much higher than the recommendation that is made on the lead-acid batteries, which should not exceed 40% of the depth of discharge.

The user also finds peace of mind, not having to worry about maintenance, no more checking water levels, or being aware of the density of the electrolyte. With this technology, everything is simplified.

Place it on the wall of the garage, under an attic, in a cabinet with its ventilation rack. With this type of battery, the possibility of having self-consumption with solar lithium batteries in vertical housing buildings is opened. Anyone can finally have their battery on the balcony with its modules facing the sun and generating electricity.

We remind you that the sun tax is now a thing of the past and that nobody in Spain can charge you anymore for installing a battery in your house to improve your self-consumption. The famous backup toll, which taxed the possession of batteries for self-consumption is now history and buying lithium batteries for self-consumption has become a very profitable option.

If you are thinking of a solar self-consumption installation but don't know if to include lithium self-consumption batteries

Bear in mind that not all inverters are capable of managing the surpluses of your installation to store them in batteries, so if you consider the typical "I first, do the installation without storage and then I will see if I install a lithium battery to improve my self-consumption" you should consider that your original inverter will not be suitable for this extension.

This is VERY IMPORTANT because the difference in price between an inverter that manages the batteries and another that is not low, so we recommend that, although you do not install.

Why are lithium batteries the most widely used batteries today?

Lithium batteries are the most widely used batteries in use today due to a number of significant advantages they offer over other types of batteries. Some of the main reasons why lithium batteries are so popular are as follows:

• - High energy density: Lithium batteries have a high energy density, which means they can store a large amount of energy relative to their size and weight. This makes them ideal for applications where space and weight are limited, such as mobile phones, laptops and general electronic devices.
• - Low self-discharge rate: Lithium batteries have a low self-discharge rate, which means they lose energy at a slower rate when not in use. This allows the batteries to hold their charge for longer periods without frequent recharging.
• - Charge and discharge cycles: Lithium batteries can withstand a high number of charge and discharge cycles, meaning they can be recharged and used many times before their capacity is significantly affected. This makes them suitable for heavy-duty and long-term applications.
• - Faster charging time: Lithium batteries have a high charging efficiency, which allows them to be recharged more quickly compared to some other battery technologies.
• - Reduced memory effect: Lithium batteries have a reduced memory effect compared to some earlier technologies, which means they do not need to be fully discharged before recharging, making them easier to use and maintain.
• - Versatility of applications: Lithium batteries are suitable for a wide range of applications, from portable electronic devices to electric vehicles, energy storage systems and industrial applications.
• - Low greenhouse gas emissions: Compared to certain battery technologies, such as lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions during their manufacture and use.

These advantages have led to widespread use of lithium batteries in a variety of industries and applications. As technology continues to improve, lithium batteries are likely to remain a popular and dominant choice for the foreseeable future. However, it is also important to note that lithium batteries are not perfect and present challenges, such as their cost of production and the proper handling of their recycling and disposal at the end of their useful life.

What products do lithium batteries contain internally?

Lithium batteries contain several internal components that work together to store and release energy. The main components of a lithium battery include:

• - Cathode: This is one of the electrodes of the battery and is usually made of lithium metal oxide and other materials, such as cobalt, manganese or iron phosphate. The cathode is the positive pole of the battery and is where the chemical reaction occurs during charging and discharging.
• - Anode: This is the other electrode of the battery and is usually made of carbon. The anode is the negative pole of the battery and is also where the opposite chemical reaction occurs during charging and discharging.
• - Electrolyte: A substance that allows lithium ions to move between the cathode and anode during charging and discharging. In lithium batteries, the electrolyte is typically a solution of lithium salts in organic solvents or a solid electrolyte in newer, more advanced batteries.
• - Separator: A porous layer that physically separates the cathode and anode, preventing them from coming into direct contact and causing a short circuit. The separator allows the flow of lithium ions while keeping the electrodes separated.
• - Housing and terminal: The lithium battery has a housing to contain all components securely and a terminal at each end to allow electrical connection to the device using it.

These components work together during the charging and discharging process to move lithium ions between the cathode and anode, storing and releasing energy in the form of electrical current. The exact chemistry and combination of materials used in lithium batteries can vary depending on the type of battery and the specific application. It is important to remember that lithium batteries are delicate devices and must be handled with care to avoid damage or safety hazards.