A LiFePo4 battery is currently the most convenient and efficient way to store electricity.
The storage of electricity has always been a scientific and technical challenge.
Let’s look at the characteristics of the perfect solar battery:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Powerful
- Durable
- Ready for quick charging/discharging
- Versatile
- Safe
- Cost effective
LiFePo4 batteries are performing quite well in all the above categories. They are the best choice for many applications, ranging from solar batteries for off-grid systems, to long-range electric vehicles.
What Is A LiFePO4 Battery?
A LiFePO4 battery is a reversible electricity storage system – LiFePo4 being one of the battery parts. It has the ability to be charged (storage) with electricity when connected to a power source, and to be discharged (release of electricity) when a power load is applied.
LiFePo4 batteries mainly compete against Lead-acid AGM and GEL batteries, but they have advantages in all categories ranging from energy and power density, compacity, and life duration.
LiFePo4 batteries only supply and accept DC (direct current). One LFP battery is the assembly of multiple prismatic LiFePo4 cells of 3.2V.
Therefore, a 12V LiFePo4 battery is made of 4 prismatic battery cells in series. A 24V LiFePo4 assembles 8 prismatic cells.
Is LiFePO4 The Same As Lithium-Ion?
Yes, LiFePO4 is a lithium-ion battery.
Lithium-ion is a generic name that describes a certain type of battery based on lithium technology. All lithium-ion batteries take advantage of the electrochemical properties of Lithium as an ion (Li+).
They only differ by the material used in their electrodes, which is lithium oxide for all of them (LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiFePo4).
lithium-ion batteries are:
- LiCoO2 – LCO
- LiNiMnCoO2, NMC
- LiNiCoAlO2, NCA
Chemists and materials scientists are making multiple variations of the lithium oxide to find the best lithium-ion battery. So far, LiFePo4 created in 1996, is their greatest discovery.
The second most popular lithium-ion battery is the NMC battery, based on Lithium Manganese Cobalt Oxide. Compared to LiFePo4, it has a higher energy density (better storage capacity), and power. It also allows for several thousand cycles and accepts quick charge/discharge. On the negative side, it is not as safe as LFP batteries and is more expensive.
NMC lithium-ion batteries, as well as NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide), are predominantly used in the electric vehicle industry.
Post time: Jun-06-2022