Advances in Batteries for Medium and Large-Scale Energy Storage

Types and Applications

C Menictas, M Skyllas-Kazacos, T M Lim

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781782420132
• eBook ISBN: 9781782420224
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

As energy produced from renewable sources is increasingly integrated into the electricity grid, interest in energy storage technologies for grid stabilisation is growing. This book reviews advances in battery technologies and applications for medium and large-scale energy storage. Chapters address advances in nickel, sodium and lithium-based batteries. Other chapters review other emerging battery technologies such as metal-air batteries and flow batteries. The final section of the book discuses design considerations and applications of batteries in remote locations and for grid-scale storage. - Reviews advances in battery technologies and applications for medium and large-scale energy storage - Examines battery types, including zing-based, lithium-air and vanadium redox flow batteries - Analyses design issues and applications of these technologies

Part One

Introduction

Chapter 1

Electrochemical cells for medium- and large-scale energy storage

fundamentals

W. Wang¹; X. Wei¹; D. Choi¹; X. Lu¹; G. Yang²; C. Sun^{2 1} Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
² UniEnergy Technologies, LLC, Mukilteo, WA, USA

Abstract

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the general fundamentals of electrochemical cells. During operation, the battery processes involve electron transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface and are closely associated with the electrical double layer that affects the kinetics of electrode reactions. Although the theoretical cell potential of a battery is governed by the Nernst equation, the overpotential always exists in the actual operation of practical batteries. The three major origins of the cell overpotential and the governing laws are introduced individually: ohmic loss, electron transfer, and mass transfer. Other important battery parameters, such as capacity, efficiency, energy density, cycle life, and safety, are briefly discussed. Emphasis is given to the electrochemical fundamentals of three main types of batteries that currently undergo extensive research efforts: lithium-ion battery, redox flow battery, and sodium battery. The working principles, cell architectures, typical electroactive materials, battery reactions, and capacity fading mechanisms of these batteries are introduced in details.

Keywords

Battery

Electrochemistry

Potential

Capacity

Lithium-ion battery

Redox flow battery

Sodium battery

1.1 Introduction

A battery is a device which allows conversion between chemical energy and electrical energy. It is realized by an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction between the active materials that are packed in its cell chamber, separated by an ion-conducting electrolyte. Traditionally, batteries can be classified into two major categories: primary and secondary. The classification is based on whether the energy in the battery can be restored (recharged) or not. A primary battery does not have the capability of being recharged. The energy conversion in a primary battery is irreversible, and it is normally discarded once the energy contained in its active reactant is exhausted. A secondary (rechargeable) battery, on the contrary, can be electrically recharged after discharge by supplying current in an opposite direction, restoring the battery to its original status through a reverse electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction on the two electrodes. As such, secondary batteries are also widely known as energy storage devices, because the electric energy can be converted to chemical energy and stored within the battery. In the past decade, secondary (rechargeable) batteries have become the primary focus of battery research and development due to the ever increasing need for advanced power and energy sources for consumer electronic devices, electric vehicles (EVs), and electric grid services. Secondary (rechargeable) batteries will be the main topic of this chapter.

In the modern age, batteries come in many different shapes, configurations, and sizes, ranging from small button cell batteries for electric watches to building-size large batteries that power the microgrid. Nevertheless, regardless of the battery size and shape, their basic repetitive unit is usually called an electrochemical cell, or simply a cell. The fundamental characteristic of an electrochemical cell is the formation of a complete conduit for the passage of charge carriers that are generated/received through the electrochemical processed at the two electrodes. During cell discharge, an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode, liberating electrons to flow...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of contributors
• Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy
• Part One: Introduction
• Part Two: Lead, nickel, sodium, and lithium-based batteries
• Part Three: Other types of batteries
• Part Four: Design issues and applications
• Index