Lead batteries offer cost-effective and reliable energy storage options

Advanced lead batteries are proving an effective energy storage and distribution option for projects including frequency regulation, wind and solar generated electricity and local energy grids, battery expert Dr Geoffrey May told delegates at the EASE energy storage global conference in Brussels. Dr May, a Consulting Engineer who was Chief Technical Officer at FIAMM and Director of Technology at Invensys (now EnerSys) and Hawker Group, set out the advantages of using lead batteries, including their sustainability, performance, price competitiveness and reliability at the annual energy storage event. He told delegates at the EASE conference that new developments in lead battery technology, including reduced sulphation are enhancing performance in shallow cycling. In addition, Dr May highlighted the advantages of lead battery rechargeable storage including their low cost, full recyclability and the technology’s proven reliability together with a global service and support network. By contrast, other technologies represented much higher cost, with poor sustainability credentials. He said: “Rechargeable energy storage demand is set to grow significantly and as we seek more sustainable and reliable battery performance, advanced lead batteries are proven to work across a range of relevant applications and there are growing numbers of high-performing examples of lead battery storage solutions. “Advanced lead batteries offer high cycle life and battery options include flooded and VRLA designs together with specialist designs for higher energy density.” He added that lead is the most efficiently recycled commodity metal, with 99% of batteries in Europe collected and recycled at end-of-life, including containers and covers, making them a perfect example of the circular economy in action. The recycling industry operates without subsidy in full compliance with environmental regulations. 

• In a new scientific paper published by the Journal of Energy Storage, battery scientists have reviewed the impact of adding supplementary carbon to the negative plate of lead batteries to demonstrate how to optimise lead battery performance for energy storage applications.
• Visit our energy storage page to see case studies of global energy storage projects supported by lead batteries.

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About ALABC:

ALABC is a global consortium for battery innovation carrying out pre-competitive research designed to advance lead battery technology. The research has been successful in developing high performance lead batteries including next generation micro-hybrid applications for automotive, as well as innovative battery technology featured in motive, industrial and renewable energy storage applications. The consortium includes more than 90 member companies and organizations worldwide, consisting of lead producers, battery manufacturers, battery users, materials suppliers and research institutions. 

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