Developing better lead batteries is the obvious way for the industry to survive, and that’s the conclusion of the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium’s latest prospectus.
The prospectus sets out ALABC’s targets and focus areas – including electric vehicles (EV) and industrial batteries for utility energy storage system (ESS) applications.
The prospectus aims to refocus ALABC member’s research to material science and electrochemical studies to improve battery designs.
It is hoped the 2016-18 program will foster rapid improvements in lead battery performance to meet future needs and maintain market positions, especially in micro, mild and super-hybrid EVs.
Major research goals for the R&D phase include: achieving optimised dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) in hybrid EVs, sustaining performance at elevated and lower temperatures and attaining high energy efficiency.
Pre-competitive research in these areas will renew future competence in the lead battery system, which has dwindled as researchers are attracted to well-funded lithium battery programs, said an ALABC press release.
Both solar and wind technologies use lead batteries but are under constant pressure from alternative battery chemistries, such as lithium-ion, for use in domestic and commercial ESSs.
ALABC members helped form the basic concepts of the research program.
Members are due to give their comments on the prospectus by the end of June. The final edition will then be used to invite potential members to take part in the 2016-2018 ALABC Program.
Past ALABC programs have overcome preliminary capacity loss, corrosion, water loss, negative plate sulphation in HEV and ESS applications and short cycle life, especially in high rate partial-state-of-charge (HRPSoC) cycling.
For more information on the prospectus for the ALABC 2016-18 Program, contact awright@ilzro.org.
