Lifetime Modelling of Lead Acid Batteries

TLDR

Battery performance and lifetime are critical for renewable energy systems, affecting both system performance and life‑cycle costs, and inaccurate lifetime predictions create long‑term viability uncertainty. The project aims to develop two battery life prediction methods for hybrid renewable energy systems and to provide tools that enhance design capabilities for remote power system stakeholders. The study develops two lead‑acid battery life prediction models, supported by test data from batteries operated in hybrid‑system‑like modes, to calibrate and validate the models. The work produced battery‑specific parameters for the prediction software and presented initial validation results. The study was conducted under the EU Benchmarking project ENK6‑CT‑2001‑80576, funded by the EU, US, Australian governments, and other European and private entities.

Abstract

The performance and lifetime of energy storage in batteries are an important part of many renewable based energy systems. Not only do batteries impact on the system performance but they are also a significant expenditure when considering the whole life cycle costs. Poor prediction of lifetime can, therefore, lead to uncertainty in the viability of the system in the long term. This report details the work undertaken to investigate and develop two different battery life prediction methodologies with specific reference to their use in hybrid renewable energy systems. Alongside this, results from battery tests designed to exercise batteries in similar modes to those that they experience in hybrid systems have also been analysed. These have yielded battery specific parameters for use in the prediction software and the first results in the validation process of the software are also given. This work has been part of the European Union Benchmarking research project (ENK6-CT-2001-80576), funded by the European Union, the United States and Australian governments together with other European states and other public and private financing bodies. The project has concentrated on lead acid batteries as this technology is the most commonly used. Through this work the project partner institutions have intended to provide useful tools to improve the design capabilities of organizations, private and public, in remote power systems. (au)