The Type of Lifepo4 Battery Applications and 7 Core Advantage
Are you looking for high-energy density, long-lasting lithium batteries? A LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery might be just what you need! As one of the most popular types of rechargeable Li-ion batteries on the market today, Lithium Iron Phosphate offers incredible benefits.
This blog post aims to demystify LiFePO4 technology and why it can be an attractive option for anyone looking for a reliable storage solution in electric vehicles, power tools or large stationary applications.
Read on to further explore this versatile battery type and its many potential uses, as well as its widely recognized advantages.
Lifepo4 Battery Overview
Lithium iron phosphate batteries, commonly known as lifepo4 batteries, are a popular choice for energy storage solutions.
Comprising a lithium iron phosphate cathode and a graphite anode, these rechargeable batteries offer several advantages over other types of battery chemistries.
Generally, lifepo4 batteries have better rate capability and cycle stability than other lithium-ion technologies, long service life, and relatively low thermal runaway rate, so they have a higher safety level and are especially suitable for applications that require long-term use, such as Electric vehicles or off-grid solar power systems.
All in all, lifepo4 batteries provide reliable performance and a lifespan you can count on for any number of demanding applications.
Specifications
| Specifications | Parameter |
| Minimum discharge voltage | 2.0-2.8 V |
| Working voltage | 3.0 ~ 3.3 V |
| Maximum charge voltage | 3.60-3.65 V |
| Volumetric energy density | 220 Wh/L (790 kJ/L) |
| Gravimetric energy density | > 90 Wh/kg (> 320 J/g). Up to 160 Wh/kg (580 J/g). |
| Cycle life | 1000-10000, depending on the production process. |
Lifepo4 Battery Structural Features
On the left side of the lithium iron phosphate battery is the positive electrode made of olivine structure LiFePO4 material, which is connected to the positive electrode of the battery by aluminum foil.
On the right is the negative electrode of the battery composed of carbon (graphite), which is connected to the negative electrode of the battery by copper foil.
In the middle is a polymer separator, which separates the positive electrode from the negative electrode. Lithium ions can pass through the separator but electrons cannot pass through the separator.
The inside of the battery is filled with electrolytes, and the battery is hermetically sealed by a metal case.
The Type of Lifepo4 Battery Applications
New energy vehicle field
Lithium iron phosphate batteries, commonly known as lifepo4 batteries, have been increasingly used in various electric vehicles and marine applications due to their excellent safety features and high power output. Lifepo4 batteries have a range of advantages, from their lightweight and sustainable design to their durability and fast charging capabilities, and are also being used in many large electric vehicles such as buses or mining trucks.
In addition, lifepo4 batteries can power light electric vehicles such as golf carts, as well as boats and kayaks for recreation and long-term exploration(i.e. RV battery). In general, lifepo4 batteries are ideal for manufacturers building specialty processes with stand-alone solutions.
Application:
- Boat/Kayak
- Large electric vehicles: buses, electric vehicles, tourist vehicles, hybrid vehicles.
- Light electric vehicles: electric bicycles, golf carts, small flat battery vehicles, forklifts, cleaning vehicles, electric wheelchairs.
Start the power supply
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries have been increasingly used in starting power supply due to their advantages including low cost, advanced safety features and long lifespans.
In addition to the characteristics of power lithium batteries, start-up lithium iron phosphate batteries also have instantaneous high-power output capabilities.
Power-type lifepo4 batteries with energy less than one degree of electricity are used to replace traditional lead-acid batteries, and BSG motors are used to replace traditional starter motors and generators, not only have the function of idling start and stop, but also have the functions of coasting with the engine stopped, coasting and braking energy recovery, acceleration assist and electric cruise.
These batteries offer more reliable performance, higher energy density, and directional stability than lead-acid batteries.
Energy storage market
Lithium iron phosphate battery has a series of unique advantages such as high working voltage, high energy density, long cycle life, low self-discharge rate, no memory effect, green environmental protection, and supports step-less expansion.
Therefore, it is very suitable for large-scale electric energy storage, and has good application prospects in the fields of safe grid connection of renewable energy power stations, grid peak regulation, distributed power stations, UPS power supplies, and emergency power systems.
(1) Wind/Photovoltaic power generation
The lithium iron phosphate battery energy storage system has the characteristics of fast switching of working conditions, flexible operation mode, high efficiency, safety and environmental protection, and strong scalability.
Therefore, it can effectively improve equipment efficiency, solve local voltage control problems, improve the reliability of renewable energy power generation and improve power quality, and make renewable energy a continuous and stable power supply.
(2) Power grid peak regulation
The main means of grid peak regulation has always been pumped storage power plants.
Since the pumped storage power station needs to build two reservoirs, the upper and lower reservoirs, which are limited by geographical conditions, it is not easy to build in plain areas, and it occupies a large area and the maintenance cost is high.
The lithium iron phosphate battery energy storage system is used to replace the pumped storage power station to cope with the peak load of the power grid. It is not restricted by geographical conditions, and the location is free. It has less investment, less land occupation, and low maintenance costs.
Therefore, it plays an important role in the process of power grid peak regulation.
(3) Distributed power station
Due to the defects of the large-scale power grid itself, it is difficult to guarantee the quality, efficiency, safety and reliability requirements of power supply.
For important units and enterprises, dual power supplies or even multiple power supplies are often required as backup and protection.
Lithium iron phosphate battery energy storage systems can reduce or avoid power outages caused by grid failures and various accidents, and ensure a safe and reliable power supply for hospitals, banks, command and control centers, data processing centers, chemical material industries, and precision manufacturing industries play an important role.
(4) UPS power supply
The decentralized demand for UPS power users brought about by the sustained and rapid economic development has made more industries and enterprises have a continuous demand for UPS power.
Electric tools
LiFePO4 batteries are also particularly suitable for high-power power tools (cordless), drills, riding lawn mowers and lawn mowers, etc., as they require lighter weight applications, resistance to elements such as shock or vibration, and improved power quality.
Small medical equipment
As we all know, most medical devices are bulky and heavy and not easy to carry, so changing medical devices from fixed to mobile is also a matter of concern to everyone.
Therefore, lithium iron phosphate has many advantages in the application of portable medical equipment, which can release more energy, and is smaller in size, lighter in weight, higher in working voltage than other rechargeable batteries, and longer in life.
These advantages can realize the mobility of medical devices to a greater extent. Therefore, many medical devices also use lithium batteries as energy storage batteries.
Aerospace
Due to the strong advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries, aerospace organizations even apply lithium iron phosphate batteries to space missions.
At present, the main role of lithium iron phosphate batteries in the aviation field is to provide support for launch and flight corrections, and ground operations; at the same time, it is beneficial to improve the efficiency of primary batteries and support night operations.
Others
Small applications include electronic watches, CD players, mobile phones, MP3, MP4, cameras, video cameras, various remote controls, razors, children's toys, etc.
Large applications include emergency power supplies from hospitals, hotels, supermarkets, telephone exchanges, etc.
Why is Lifepo4 Battery Widely Used?
(1) High security
The P-O bond in lithium iron phosphate crystal is stable and difficult to decompose. Even at high temperatures or overcharges, it will not collapse and generate heat or form strong oxidizing substances like lithium cobalt oxide, so it has good safety.
Some reports pointed out that in the actual operation, a small part of the samples was found to burn in acupuncture or short-circuit experiments, but no explosion occurred. In the overcharge experiment, a high voltage charge that was several times higher than the self-discharge voltage was used, and it was found that there were still some samples. explosion phenomenon.
Even so, its overcharge safety has been greatly improved compared with ordinary liquid electrolyte lithium cobalt oxide batteries.
Learn more about lifepo4 battery safety.
(2) Long lifespan
The cycle life of long-life lead-acid batteries is about 300 times, and the maximum is 800 times, while the cycle life of lithium iron phosphate power batteries reaches more than 5,000 times.
Lead-acid batteries of the same quality are "new for half a year, old for half a year, and then maintained for another half a year", which is 1-1.5 years at most. The lithium iron phosphate battery is used under the same conditions, and its theoretical life will reach more than 10 years.
Comprehensive consideration, the performance-price ratio is theoretically more than 4 times that of lead-acid batteries.
Learn more about calculating lifepo4 battery lifespan.
(3) Lightweight
The volume of the lithium iron phosphate battery with the same specification and capacity is 2/3 of the volume of the lead-acid battery, and the weight is 1/3 of the lead-acid battery.
(4) Good high-temperature performance
The electric heating peak of lithium iron phosphate can reach 350°C-500°C, while lithium manganese oxide and lithium cobalt oxide are only around 200°C.
The working temperature range is wide (-20℃--75℃), and it has high-temperature resistance. The electric heating peak of lithium iron phosphate can reach 350 ℃-500 ℃, while lithium manganese oxide and lithium cobalt oxide are only around 200 ℃.
(5) No memory effect
When rechargeable batteries work under the condition that they are often fully charged, the capacity will quickly drop below the rated capacity value. This phenomenon is called the memory effect.
Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries have memory, while lithium iron phosphate batteries have no memory effect. No matter what state the battery is in, it can be charged and used at any time, and there is no need to discharge it before recharging.
(6) Environmental protection
Lithium iron phosphate batteries are generally considered to contain no heavy metals and rare metals (rare metals are required for nickel-hydrogen batteries), non-toxic (SGS certified), non-polluting, and comply with European RoHS regulations, which is an absolute green battery certificate.
Therefore, the reason why lithium batteries are favored by the industry is mainly because of environmental protection considerations.
Choose the Best Lifepo4 Battery
HARVEYPOW lithium iron phosphate battery manufacturer is committed to creating the best solar energy storage battery, and fully promotes global green environmental protection and energy development.
We have rack-mounted batteries and stacked batteries suitable for household/industrial and commercial use, 1-300kWh free expansion, and the king of home space saving - Powerwall, 68 core technical teams tailor a unique solar energy storage system for you.
The high-performance lithium battery with 8000 cycle life is made of top-notch CATL cells, and the warranty is as long as 12 years.
In addition, there is also 7 days to 24 hours of customer support, providing you with professional lifepo4 battery maintenance and usage skills at any time, and is committed to promoting efficient, sustainable and affordable new zero-carbon solutions around the world.
More FAQs
1. How to store the lifepo4 batteries?
Place the battery in a cool, dry, and ventilated place. The best storage capacity is 50%-70%. Perform a charge-discharge cycle every 3-6 months.
Read more tips on battery storage.
2. How to charge lithium batteries correctly?
Charge with an appropriate voltage to avoid overcharging. At the same time, pay attention to the charging temperature. Too high or too low charging environment will not only affect the charging performance, but even damage the battery life.
Read more tips on getting it charged right.
3. How to make lifepo4 battery pack?
The battery pack is composed of cells and BMS. First select cells with high consistency in voltage and capacity to form a battery pack, and then install the BMS.
Read more steps on making a lifeop4 battery pack.