New technologies for future telecom batteries

Newly developed electrochemical systems for small portable batteries are being extended to larger sizes. Particularly, batteries for electric vehicles are the object of a lot of efforts. SAFT is deeply involved in developing Ni/metal hydride and Li ion complete battery systems. These batteries have now reached the industrial feasibility step, and can be produced at a pilot level, to supply car manufacturers. Other applications can be fulfilled with such batteries, taking advantage of their improved characteristics over conventional systems. Li ion appears to be the most promising in terms of energy density and specific energy, and excellent performances obtained on long range cycling at low depth of discharge make it also very promising for space application. The paper describes the basis of this electrochemical system, the main features and the performance of the technology, in the view of standby applications compared to conventional VRLA.