Lithium-ion batteries: a breakthrough for sustainability

The current business context increasingly requires actions that minimize environmental deterioration and in terms of energy efficiency, it is no longer enough to have adequate electrical connection systems, efficient devices or rigorous corrective and preventive maintenance of network components. It is now a priority to have initiatives that help to store more energy more efficiently and safely, thus guaranteeing operational continuity and reducing electrical maintenance costs.

In this sense, lithium-ion batteries have begun to play an essential role, since, due to their versatility and capacity to store large amounts of energy, they can supply everything from everyday electronic devices, such as cell phones, computers and electric cars, to powering complex industrial facilities, such as data centers.

What are lithium ion batteries and how do they work?

Lithium batteries or lithium-ion batteries are energy storage devices, unlike Nickel Cadmium and lead-acid batteries, they are also rechargeable since they use lithium compounds as one of their electrodes. These batteries have become very popular in applications such as electric cars, due to their high energy density. In fact, the global lithium-ion battery market is expected to grow 20% over a 5-year period, reaching a market size of USD 200 billion by 2027, up from USD 57 billion recorded in 2020.

The operation of lithium-ion batteries is based on the movement of lithium ions between two electrodes: the anode (negative electrode) and the cathode (positive electrode), through an electrolyte. During charging, the lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode and are stored there, and during discharge, the process is reversed so that the ions return to the cathode, releasing energy in the process.

This transfer allows the batteries to be recharged many times without significant capacity loss, making them an ideal choice for applications that require frequent charge and discharge cycles, such as electric vehicles and portable electronic devices.

Main characteristics of lithium-ion batteries and their impact on sustainability

The characteristics of llithium-ion batteries are directly related to their benefits for environmental sustainability. Compared to other battery technologies, the technical properties of lithium batteries contribute to a positive impact on the environment. Some of their main characteristics are:

1. High energy density: they have the ability to store large amounts of energy in a compact size, making them ideal for applications where space and weight are limited, lower Footprint.
2. Low self-discharge rate: they hold their charge for long periods when not in use and this makes them more efficient in terms of energy retention.
3. Long service life: they can withstand many more charge/discharge cycles (up to 5,000) without significant loss of capacity, prolonging their service life which can vary between 10 and 15 years depending on their use.
4. Lower environmental impact: unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries do not contain toxic materials such as cadmium and are therefore less harmful to the environment.
5. High operating temperatures: they work efficiently in a wide range of temperature extremes in both hot and cold climates.
6. Optimized safety and control: they incorporate temperature sensors and regulators that prevent overcharging and overheating.
7. Shorter charging time: a lithium battery can be charged to 100% in a period of 2 hours.

Applications of lithium-ion batteries

Thanks to their cost-efficiency, lithium-ion batteries have a wide versatility of use, for example:

• Solar panels: due to the way they self-charge, these batteries are the best performers, even when solar energy is intermittent.
• Electric vehicles: the electromobility industry has opted for lithium-ion batteries due to the amount of charge they can store and their self-regulating consumption system. This in turn extends the vehicle’s autonomy for longer trips.
• Consumer electronics: cell phones, laptops and tablets have become the main application for these batteries due to their compact size.
• Medical devices: lithium ion batteries are present in electric wheelchairs or remote motorized stents, making life easier for people with mobility restrictions.

Lithium Ion Batteries for Industronic UPSs

In facilities where data servers are high-volume or factories with continuously operating machines, lithium-ion batteries integrated into uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are used to protect equipment from loss or instability of power supply. Here are some key aspects about the use of lithium-ion batteries in UPS:

• Up to 3 times longer life and protection than VRLA(Lead Acid) batteries, which significantly reduces maintenance costs and the need for frequent replacements.
• Superior performance in temperatures up to 50°C without degrading performance, making UPS more versatile in different industrial environments.
• Lithium-ion batteries offer advanced safety systems that reduce the risk of overheating and leakage, and allow rapid extinguishing in case of fire.
• Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries allow mixing old and new units without compromising performance, facilitating gradual upgrades and reducing initial investment costs.
• In systems that require high energy storage capacity, lithium-ion batteries allow up to 20 or 30 modules to be connected in parallel, without voltage and current unbalance problems and ensuring the stability and efficiency of the UPS system.

In conclusion, lithium-ion batteries are transforming the way we store and use energy. Their efficiency, flexibility and ability to withstand intensive use make them an ideal choice for industrial and consumer applications.