By ScienceDaily, February 9, 2012
A joint research
project between the University of Southampton and lithium battery technology
company REAPsystems has found that a new type of battery has the potential to
improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of solar power.
The research
project, sponsored by REAPsystems, was led by MSc Sustainable Energy
Technologies student, Yue Wu and his supervisors Dr Carlos Ponce de Leon,
Professor Tom Markvart and Dr John Low (currently working at the University's
Research Institute for Industry, RIfI). The study looked specifically into the
use of lithium batteries as an energy storage device in photovoltaic systems.
Student Yue Wu
says, "Lead acid batteries are traditionally the energy storage device
used for most photovoltaic systems. However, as an energy storage device,
lithium batteries, especially the LiFePO4 batteries we used, have
more favourable characteristics."
Data was collected
by connecting a lithium iron phosphate battery to a photovoltaic system
attached to one of the University's buildings, using a specifically designed
battery management system supplied by REAP systems.
Yue adds, "the
research showed that the lithium battery has an energy efficiency of 95 per
cent whereas the lead-acid batteries commonly used today only have around 80
per cent. The weight of the lithium batteries is lower and they have a longer
life span than the lead-acid batteries reaching up to 1,600 charge/discharge
cycles, meaning they would need to be replaced less frequently."
Although the
battery will require further testing before being put into commercial
photovoltaic systems the research has shown that the LiFePO4 battery
has the potential to improve the efficiency of solar power systems and help to
reduce the costs of both their installation and upkeep. Dr Carlos Ponce de Leon
and Dr. John Low now plan to take this project further with a new cohort of
Masters students.
Dr
Dennis Doerffel, founder of REAPsystems and former researcher at the University
of Southampton, says: "For all kinds of energy source (renewable or
non-renewable), the energy storage device -- such as a battery -- plays an
important role in determining the energy utilisation. Compared with traditional
lead acid batteries, LiFePO4 batteries are more efficient, have a
longer lifetime, are lighter and cost less per unit. We can see the potential
of this battery being used widely in photovoltaic application, and other
renewable energy systems."
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Southampton.
1 comment:
Post a Comment