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Lead Acid Battery Systems and Technology for Sustainable Energy

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Batteries for Sustainability

Abstract

Work on optimizing battery designs to fit the needs of each emerging application has been an ongoing process since Gaston Planté first demonstrated the lead-acid battery in France in 1859 [1]. This article describes many different commercial lead-acid battery designs and electrical requirements in a wide range of applications. Commercial lead-acid batteries are increasingly used for sustainable energy storage and power system regulation. Their global availability and the low cost of their components, their reliability under many operating conditions and their established recycling industry are among the reasons that the technology is finding additional markets in sustainable energy systems.

This chapter was originally published as part of the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology edited by Robert A. Meyers. DOI:10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3

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Abbreviations

AGM:

Absorptive glass mat, a battery separator material.

Ah:

Ampere-hour: dc current multiplied by time of charge or discharge.

Monopolar cell:

String of cells connected in series (+ − + − + −).

Bipolar plate:

Conductive, nonporous substrate with negative active material on one side and positive active material on the opposite side.

e− :

Electron.

Float V:

Voltage applied to sustain battery Ah capacity.

Flooded cell:

Lead-acid cell saturated with aqueous sulfuric acid electrolyte.

Gel cell:

Lead-acid cell with a gelling agent added to the electrolyte.

HEV:

Hybrid electric vehicle.

KVA:

Kilovolt amperes, unit of electrical energy in an ac circuit.

H2SO4 :

Reactant at both electrodes; electrolyte when aqueous.

MSDS:

Material safety data sheet (for information on a battery product).

Pb:

Lead metal, the main negative electro-active material.

PbO2 :

Lead dioxide, the main positive electro-active material.

PbSO4 :

Lead sulfate, the discharge product on both electrodes.

SLI:

Starting, lighting and ignition automotive battery.

UPS:

Uninterruptible power system.

VRLA cell:

Lead-acid cell with one-way pressure-relief valve.

Bibliography

Primary Literature

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Books and Reviews

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. President, Coolohm, Inc., 980 Clover Court, Blue Bell, PA, 19422-3015, USA

    Kathryn R. Bullock

Authors
  1. Kathryn R. Bullock
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Correspondence to Kathryn R. Bullock .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Broddarp of Nevada, Fountain Springs Drive 2161, Henderson, 89014, Nevada, USA

    Ralph J. Brodd

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Bullock, K.R. (2013). Lead Acid Battery Systems and Technology for Sustainable Energy . In: Brodd, R. (eds) Batteries for Sustainability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5791-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5791-6_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5790-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5791-6

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