Batteries

Advanced battery technologies include lithium-ion, lithium polymer, nickel metal hydride, and sodium sulfur types.

Advanced batteries offer much smaller “footprints” (i.e., they take up less space) than lead-acid batteries. They are typically CURRENTLY too expensive for large-scale utility applications, but are used for power quality and backup purposes at manufacturing

plants. They are also used in consumer goods and automobiles. Lithium-ion batteries in laptop computers, for example, can provide twice as much operating time as conventional batteries. Sodium sulfur batteries can operate at high temperatures, and have proven safe even under extreme conditions.

Flow batteries work in a similar fashion to lead-acid batteries, but the electrolyte is stored in external containers and circulated through the battery cell stack as required. This external reservoir of rechargeable electrolyte can be as large as needed, and situated where convenient. Some flow batteries use two different kinds of electrolyte that are stored separately.

Lead-acid batteries are the most common type of battery. They are used in automobiles, and by both utilities and electricity consumers as a backup energy source for critical electricity needs.