Characteristics

Characteristics of a battery energy storage system

• Round-trip Efficiency  • Response Time  • Energy Retention or Standby
• Indicates the amount of usable
energy that can be discharged
from a storage system relative to
the amount of energy that was
put in.
• This accounts for the energy lost
during each charge and discharge
cycle. Typical values range from
60% to 95%.
• Ramp Rate —
• Ramp rate indicates the rate at
which storage power can be
varied. A ramp rate for batteries
can be faster than 100% variation
in one to a few seconds.  electricity and to the specific
• Amount of time required for a Losses 
storage system to go from • Energy retention time is the
standby mode to full output. amount of time that a storage
• This performance criterion is system retains its charge.
one important indicator of the • The concept of energy retention
flexibility of storage as a grid is important because of the
resource relative to alternatives. tendency for some types of
storage to self-discharge or to
dissipate energy while the
• Energy Density  storage is not in use.
• The amount of energy that can
be stored for a given amount of
area, volume, or mass. • Power Density 
• Power density indicates the
• Safety  amount of power that can be
• Safety is related to both delivered for a given amount of
area, volume, or mass.
materials and processes involved
in storage systems.

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Important considerations for battery selection

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Classification
Classification of BESS by battery types
BESSs intrinsically use electro-chemical solutions which manifest in some of the following Battery Types:
1.Lithium-ion 2. Sodium Sulfur 3. Flow 4. Nickel-cadmium 5. lead-acid

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

1. Lithium-ion 
• These offer good energy storage for their size and can be charged/ discharged many
times in their lifetime.
• Li-ion battery chemistries have the highest energy density and are considered safe.
• They are used in a wide variety of consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets,
laptops, electronic cigarettes and digital cameras. They are also used in electric cars and
some aircraft.

ADVANTAGES
High specific energy and high load
capabilities with power cells
Long cycle and extended shelf-life;
maintenance-free
High capacity, low internal resistance,
good coulombic efficiency
Simple charge algorithm and reasonably
short charge times
DISADVANTAGES
Need for protection circuit to prevent
thermal runaway if stressed
Degradation at high temperature and when
stored at high voltage
Impossibility of rapid charge at freezing
temperatures (<32°F)
Need for transportation regulations when
shipping in larger quantities

• Types of Lithium-Ion Batteries

• Lithium cobalt oxide • Lithium iron phosphate
• Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide • Lithium titanate

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

2. Lead-acid 
• These are traditional rechargeable batteries and are inexpensive compared to
newer types of batteries.
• Uses include protection and control systems, back-up power supplies, and grid
energy storage.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Low-cost and simple manufacture Low specific energy; poor weight-to-
energy ratio
Low cost per watt-hour Slow charging: Fully saturated charge
takes 14–16 hours
High specific power, capable of high Need for storage in charged condition to
discharge currents prevent sulfation
Good performance at low and high Limited cycle life; repeated deep-cycling
temperatures reduces battery life
No block-wise or cell-wise BMS required Adverse environmental impact

• Types of Lead-Acid Batteries

• Sealed, or maintenance free
• Starter
• Deep-cycle

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

3. Sodium Sulfur 
• The Na–S battery or liquid metal battery is a type of molten metal battery constructed from sodium and sulfur.
• It exhibits a high energy density, high efficiency of charge and discharge (89%–92%), and a long cycle life, and is
fabricated from inexpensive materials.
• Uses include storing energy from renewable sources such as solar or wind.

ADVANTAGES
Low-cost potential: Inexpensive raw materials and
sealed, no-maintenance configuration
High cycle life; liquid electrodes
Good energy and power density: Low-density active
materials, high cell voltage
Flexible operation: Cells functional over a wide
range of conditions (rate, depth of discharge,
temperature)
High energy efficiency: 100% coulombic-efficient,
reasonable resistance
DISADVANTAGES
Need to be operated above 300°C
Extra cost of constructing the enclosing structure to
prevent leakage
Stringent operation and maintenance requirements
Highly reactive nature of metallic sodium (part of
the material used in construction), which is
combustible when exposed to water

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

4. Nickel-Cadmium
• A nickel-cadmium battery (Ni-Cd) is a rechargeable battery used for portable
computers, drills, camcorders, and other small battery-operated devices requiring an
even power discharge.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Rugged, high cycle count with proper
maintenance
Only battery that can be ultra-fast-
charged with little stress
Long shelf life; can be stored in a
discharged state, needing priming
before use
Simple storage and transportation; not
subject to regulatory control
Good low-temperature performance
Relatively low specific energy
compared with newer systems
Memory effect; needs periodic full
discharge and can be rejuvenated
Cadmium is a toxic metal; cannot be
disposed of in landfills
High self-discharge; needs recharging
after storage
Low cell voltage of 1.20 V requires
many cells to achieve high voltage

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

5. Flow 
• A flow battery is a type of electrochemical cell where chemical energy is provided by
two chemical components dissolved in liquids that are pumped through the system on
separate sides of a membrane.
• Flow batteries are quite large and are generally used to store energy from renewable
sources.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Flexible layout Low energy density

Long cycle life Low charge and discharge rates 

Quick response times

Battery Storage SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE