Lead-carbon batteries could soon be used in EV chargers for energy storage. The batteries would lessen the demand on the electric grid at times of peak charging. US company Electric Applications Incorporated (EAI) is researching the potential of lead-carbon batteries as a means of reducing demand from EV fast chargers on the grid.
The ALABC is confident this innovation will give lead-based batteries a place in the future of EVs and is supporting the research programme with EAI.
As a stationary battery the weight of lead-based batteries is not a concern as it would be in in-car automotive applications and as a lower cost technology it would be more appropriate than lithium-ion for the battery energy storage systems (BESS) on chargers.
The significant power demand these fast chargers can have on the electric grid (50kW to 120kW) means the electric demand of chargers often make fast charging cost prohibitive. The researchers at EAI found that using a BESS reduced the demand upon grid power by using the BESS during fast-charging of plug-in electric vehicles.