Advanced lead carbon batteries for partial state of charge operation in stationary applications

The application benefits of operating stationary batteries in a partial state of charge (PSoC) can be significant. Emerging markets and applications which require dynamic cycling operation with high charge efficiency, such as, utility scale energy storage and hybrid telecommunications sites can especially benefit from this mode of operation. PSoC operation improves charge efficiency (up to 99%) and reduces the degradation of the components associated with overcharging the battery, such as, positive grid corrosion and electrolyte decomposition. Prior to recent advances in lead carbon technologies, the operation of a lead acid battery system in PSoC operation typically resulted in the rapid and unrecoverable loss of the batteries capacity due to sulfation of the negative electrode. However, with the modification of the battery with carbon technology, the stabilization of the negative against sulfation is possible and PSoC operation can become the preferred mode of operation for the lead carbon battery system. Furthermore, by engineering key properties of the positive and negative electrodes, the benefits can be significant without impacting other performance, safety and reliability characteristics of the battery.