How Battery Revival Technology can Enhance Energy Storage

Vishal Pratap Singh

Recently, Tesla Power USA Inc., the Indian subsidiary of Tesla Power USA LLC., based in Florida, USA has introduced its proprietary American technology led, highly efficient lead acid batteries to the market. The company also provides innovative solutions to corporate and bulk battery users in India. Their unique proposition for the maintenance and revival of all types of lead-acid batteries, using its proprietary Electrochemical Battery Enhancement Process (EBEP), not only saves huge costs but also saves the environment from hazardous pollution. “It is a win-win proposition for all PSUs, corporate bulk battery users, industries, the environment, and the Indian youth”, says Kavinder Khurana, Managing Partner of Tesla Power USA Inc.

The battery revival technology is a green energy technology that extends the battery life over twice. It is a breakthrough that contributes to cost saving as well as helps in reducing the graph of global warming, energy scarcity and environment pollution. From long time, lead-acid batteries have been used in off-grid energy systems, such as solar energy systems. Lead-acid batteries act as a power source for renewable energy, same as power banks which store energy to charge the mobile phones.

Restoring the Battery Capacity

When a battery seemingly reaches the end of its usable life, there are two options, first one is to replace it by purchasing a new battery. This option is costly, is not environment friendly, and is often not the sensible option because the actual end of lifespan of the battery may not have been reached. The other option is to reconvert the lead sulphate crystals into active material, giving the battery a second lease of life by restoring its capacity to the original level. In western countries, the battery revival technology has been adopted by more than 500 companies in the airline, off-highway or industrial vehicle, telecom business and retail markets, and its benefits are now available to the marine sector as well.

Government Incentives

Government Incentives for Energy Storage are also driving the growth of battery storage technology. Experts believe that an energy management system, and a service contract can

deliver value to a business by providing reliable power more economically. The business model was initially developed by constant power, and it is being replicated elsewhere to generate steady returns for investors upon completion of an ESS project.

Deployment of Renewable Energy Technologies

Battery revival technology can support the intermittent renewable energy sources. The implementation of battery revival technology in wind farms and solar farms reduces the problem of intermittency of the energy source. Also, it can be said that this technology can store energy when the demand is low but production is high.

As with all storage technologies, every charge or discharge cycle results in some loss of energy due to system inefficiencies. For typical grid connected applications, this means that from a global perspective, there may be increased air emissions associated with the generation of this lost energy. Battery revival technology serves to increase the utilization of renewable sources. In addition, battery energy storage saves resources due to more efficient use of power plants and delays investments in additional transmission infrastructure.

Challenges in Battery Storage Technology

It has seen many times that high string voltage affects the shock and blast potential which increases the risk of injuries. Large number of battery cells per string in grid scale energy storage results in higher voltage levels and creates this risk. Due to high voltage, there is heating in the battery which can result in fire. The main cause of this fire is thermal runaway which is a chemical process where the self-heating in a battery exceeds the rate of cooling. Therefore, it causes high internal temperatures, melting and venting.

Lack of Technical Standards

It is often the case for early stage markets where storage suffers due a lack of technical standards, as well as varying processes and policies. This indicates that projects like these and its technical components present a unique endeavour with its own set of challenges. Emerging Technologies such as battery energy storage not only challenges regulatory policies but also creates issues regarding market structures. There are still doubts when it comes to the structure and capabilities of most batteries.

Shortage in Supply

Batteries are the preferred solution for powering emerging technologies such as electric cars. Due rising prices of materials like cobalt which are in high demand, there will be its shortage which ultimately will result in higher battery storage prices. As well as access to critical materials may be hampered. Due to the ongoing trade war between India and China, after the ban of Chinese apps and products in India, some major production pipeline issues could arise as China is by far the largest producer of cobalt.

The Way Forward

Battery storage systems are emerging as one of the key solutions to effectively integrate high shares of solar and wind renewables in power systems around the globe. Batteries can also help to provide reliable and cheaper electricity in the coming future.