The development of lithium ion batteries began in the consumer field, and is currently developing rapidly in the field of power and energy storage. This article will introduce the key lithium battery technology in power lithium battery and energy storage lithium battery.
Table of Contents
Lithium battery technology route
Lithium ion battery refers to a secondary battery with lithium as the energy carrier. When charging, lithium ions come out of the cathode, pass through the electrolyte and separator, and are embedded in the anode. The reverse process occurs when discharging. Lithium-ion batteries are divided into lithium iron phosphate battery and ternary lithium battery according to different cathode materials.
In lithium battery technology, lithium iron phosphate material is rich in production resources, and its cost, cycle life and thermal stability are superior to ternary materials. It is suitable for commercial vehicles, low-end passenger vehicles, energy storage and other fields. The theoretical specific capacity (energy density) of the ternary lithium battery is 60% higher than that of lithium iron phosphate, the charging rate is higher, and the low temperature performance is good, which is suitable for the fields of medium and high-end passenger cars.
In the lithium battery technology, lithium ion batteries are divided into square batteries, pouch batteries and cylindrical batteries according to different packaging processes.
The advantages of prismatic batteries are high packaging reliability, simple structure, high single energy density, high system group efficiency, and relatively good stability. The disadvantage is that there are many models, the process is difficult to unify, and the monomers are quite different, which makes the life of the system lower than that of the monomers.
Pouch batteries are packaged with aluminum-plastic film, which has the advantages of high energy density, small battery pack, and long cycle life. The disadvantage is that high-end aluminum-plastic film relies on imports, low production efficiency, and low yield.
In the lithium battery technology, cylindrical battery hard-shell packaging has high reliability, and its advantages are high battery consistency, mature technology, low cost, good battery product yield, and good heat dissipation performance. But the disadvantage is that it is difficult to design heat dissipation after grouping, and the system energy density is low.
Power lithium battery technology route
Lithium iron phosphate power battery has regained its dominant position. In the past three years, with the reduction of policy subsidies, the advantages of lithium iron phosphate in terms of cost and safety have gradually emerged, the installed capacity in the market has risen rapidly, and the market share has increased year by year. In 2021, the installed capacity of ternary batteries will be overtaken, and the share of power batteries in the first half of 2022 will increase to 55%.
The installed capacity of power batteries in China has maintained a high-speed growth trend, and the compound annual growth rate will reach 49% by 2025. Driven by the rapid growth of new energy vehicles in China, the installed capacity of power batteries in China will reach 110.1GWh in the first half of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 109.8%.
In power lithium battery technology route, in terms of high specific energy, the energy density of a single ternary pouch battery can reach up to 300Wh/kg. At present, the specific energy of a ternary square shell battery is close to 300Wh/kg, and the energy density of the system has reached 255Wh/kg.
The energy density of the lithium iron phosphate blade (square) battery is close to 170Wh/kg, and the system energy density exceeds 140Wh/kg. The specific energy of the ternary pouch battery has reached 300Wh/kg, and the energy density of the system has reached nearly 220Wh/kg.
In terms of high safety, at this stage, the safety performance of batteries is mainly improved by using three methods: body safety, process safety, and fire safety. The safety of the battery mainly depends on the modification and coating of non-flammable and non-flammable electrolytes, high-melting point separators and cathode materials to improve the safety of the battery itself.
In terms of long life, the service life of lithium iron phosphate batteries is generally higher than that of ternary batteries. The lithium iron phosphate blade battery has a service life of more than 5000 times, followed by the ternary pouch battery with a service life of more than 3000 times, the square battery with a service life of more than 2000 times, and the cylindrical battery with a slightly lower service life of about 1000 times.
In terms of fast charging performance, the ternary battery rate is developing from the current 2C rate to 5C rate, and the charging time is shortened by 60%. Many companies are increasing the speed of ternary battery charging, and improving the battery’s fast charging performance by increasing the charging voltage and the battery’s high current tolerance.
Energy storage lithium battery technology route
In the energy storage lithium battery technology route, large scale energy storage is the main application scenario. China’s energy storage battery shipments have maintained a high-speed growth trend, with an average annual growth rate of more than 50% in the next three years. In 2021, China’s energy storage battery shipments will reach 48GWh, an increase of 167% year-on-year. It is estimated that the installed capacity will exceed 90GWh in 2022, an increase of 88% year-on-year, and will exceed 324GWh in 2025.
China’s energy storage batteries are mainly used in large scale energy storage (power system energy storage), communication system energy storage, household energy storage and portable power station. Large scale energy storage is the main application scenario of energy storage batteries, which are mainly used in energy storage containerized systems on the power generation side, grid side and user side, accounting for 61% of the total shipments.
The second is communication system energy storage, which is mainly used for backup power of communication base stations, accounting for 25%. Home energy storage products are mainly exported to foreign countries, and portable energy storage accounts for the least, only 3%. A number of companies have entered the energy storage battery market with energy storage batteries. Energy storage batteries are in a stage of rapid development, and the market structure is uncertain.
CATL came from behind with its strong cost control ability and scale advantages. In the energy storage lithium battery technology route, the development trend of energy storage battery products is product standardization, large-scale batteries, and de-modularization. Various companies are entering this industry and trying to become bigger and stronger.
After 3 years, there will be a situation where the strong are always strong, and small and medium players who do not have the advantages of scale and the ability to develop and design high-performance batteries will be eliminated at an accelerated rate. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have become the mainstream route of energy storage batteries in China.
Lithium battery performance requirements include energy density, power density, cost, life and safety. Energy storage applications have relaxed requirements on the energy density and power density of batteries, and more emphasis has been placed on reducing the cost of distribution and storage of electricity. Energy storage batteries must have low cost, long life, and ensure the safety of battery applications.
Ternary lithium batteries have high energy density and power density, but are expensive and relatively weak in safety. Relevant Chinese documents propose that medium and large electrochemical energy storage power stations should not use ternary lithium batteries and sodium-sulfur batteries, and cascade utilization power batteries should not be used.
In lithium battery technology, lithium iron phosphate batteries have excellent safety, long cycle life, abundant metal resource reserves, low cost and environmental protection, and have become the main choice of energy storage batteries.
Peach
Hi Dear readers, I confidently introduce myself as an author with a fervent passion for writing and substantial experience in the battery swapping industry. My educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering, and I have previously served as a battery engineer at a renowned power battery company, actively participating in and leading various motorcycle swapping station projects, from design to operational implementation.
Over the years, I have actively explored and extensively researched swapping technologies, business models, and market trends. Through practical experience, I have accumulated valuable insights, actively contributing to various aspects of station planning, equipment selection, and operational management.
I am eagerly looking forward to sharing my insights and experiences in the battery swapping domain. I believe that my writing will assist you in gaining a better understanding of this rapidly evolving industry and provide valuable insights for your decision-making. Let's embark on an exciting journey to explore the world of battery swapping together!
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In-depth analysis of lithium battery technology
Lithium battery technology route
Lithium ion battery refers to a secondary battery with lithium as the energy carrier. When charging, lithium ions come out of the cathode, pass through the electrolyte and separator, and are embedded in the anode. The reverse process occurs when discharging. Lithium-ion batteries are divided into lithium iron phosphate battery and ternary lithium battery according to different cathode materials.
In lithium battery technology, lithium iron phosphate material is rich in production resources, and its cost, cycle life and thermal stability are superior to ternary materials. It is suitable for commercial vehicles, low-end passenger vehicles, energy storage and other fields. The theoretical specific capacity (energy density) of the ternary lithium battery is 60% higher than that of lithium iron phosphate, the charging rate is higher, and the low temperature performance is good, which is suitable for the fields of medium and high-end passenger cars.
In the lithium battery technology, lithium ion batteries are divided into square batteries, pouch batteries and cylindrical batteries according to different packaging processes.
The advantages of prismatic batteries are high packaging reliability, simple structure, high single energy density, high system group efficiency, and relatively good stability. The disadvantage is that there are many models, the process is difficult to unify, and the monomers are quite different, which makes the life of the system lower than that of the monomers.
Pouch batteries are packaged with aluminum-plastic film, which has the advantages of high energy density, small battery pack, and long cycle life. The disadvantage is that high-end aluminum-plastic film relies on imports, low production efficiency, and low yield.
In the lithium battery technology, cylindrical battery hard-shell packaging has high reliability, and its advantages are high battery consistency, mature technology, low cost, good battery product yield, and good heat dissipation performance. But the disadvantage is that it is difficult to design heat dissipation after grouping, and the system energy density is low.
Power lithium battery technology route
Lithium iron phosphate power battery has regained its dominant position. In the past three years, with the reduction of policy subsidies, the advantages of lithium iron phosphate in terms of cost and safety have gradually emerged, the installed capacity in the market has risen rapidly, and the market share has increased year by year. In 2021, the installed capacity of ternary batteries will be overtaken, and the share of power batteries in the first half of 2022 will increase to 55%.
The installed capacity of power batteries in China has maintained a high-speed growth trend, and the compound annual growth rate will reach 49% by 2025. Driven by the rapid growth of new energy vehicles in China, the installed capacity of power batteries in China will reach 110.1GWh in the first half of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 109.8%.
In power lithium battery technology route, in terms of high specific energy, the energy density of a single ternary pouch battery can reach up to 300Wh/kg. At present, the specific energy of a ternary square shell battery is close to 300Wh/kg, and the energy density of the system has reached 255Wh/kg.
The energy density of the lithium iron phosphate blade (square) battery is close to 170Wh/kg, and the system energy density exceeds 140Wh/kg. The specific energy of the ternary pouch battery has reached 300Wh/kg, and the energy density of the system has reached nearly 220Wh/kg.
In terms of high safety, at this stage, the safety performance of batteries is mainly improved by using three methods: body safety, process safety, and fire safety. The safety of the battery mainly depends on the modification and coating of non-flammable and non-flammable electrolytes, high-melting point separators and cathode materials to improve the safety of the battery itself.
In terms of long life, the service life of lithium iron phosphate batteries is generally higher than that of ternary batteries. The lithium iron phosphate blade battery has a service life of more than 5000 times, followed by the ternary pouch battery with a service life of more than 3000 times, the square battery with a service life of more than 2000 times, and the cylindrical battery with a slightly lower service life of about 1000 times.
In terms of fast charging performance, the ternary battery rate is developing from the current 2C rate to 5C rate, and the charging time is shortened by 60%. Many companies are increasing the speed of ternary battery charging, and improving the battery’s fast charging performance by increasing the charging voltage and the battery’s high current tolerance.
Energy storage lithium battery technology route
In the energy storage lithium battery technology route, large scale energy storage is the main application scenario. China’s energy storage battery shipments have maintained a high-speed growth trend, with an average annual growth rate of more than 50% in the next three years. In 2021, China’s energy storage battery shipments will reach 48GWh, an increase of 167% year-on-year. It is estimated that the installed capacity will exceed 90GWh in 2022, an increase of 88% year-on-year, and will exceed 324GWh in 2025.
China’s energy storage batteries are mainly used in large scale energy storage (power system energy storage), communication system energy storage, household energy storage and portable power station. Large scale energy storage is the main application scenario of energy storage batteries, which are mainly used in energy storage containerized systems on the power generation side, grid side and user side, accounting for 61% of the total shipments.
The second is communication system energy storage, which is mainly used for backup power of communication base stations, accounting for 25%. Home energy storage products are mainly exported to foreign countries, and portable energy storage accounts for the least, only 3%. A number of companies have entered the energy storage battery market with energy storage batteries. Energy storage batteries are in a stage of rapid development, and the market structure is uncertain.
CATL came from behind with its strong cost control ability and scale advantages. In the energy storage lithium battery technology route, the development trend of energy storage battery products is product standardization, large-scale batteries, and de-modularization. Various companies are entering this industry and trying to become bigger and stronger.
After 3 years, there will be a situation where the strong are always strong, and small and medium players who do not have the advantages of scale and the ability to develop and design high-performance batteries will be eliminated at an accelerated rate. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have become the mainstream route of energy storage batteries in China.
Lithium battery performance requirements include energy density, power density, cost, life and safety. Energy storage applications have relaxed requirements on the energy density and power density of batteries, and more emphasis has been placed on reducing the cost of distribution and storage of electricity. Energy storage batteries must have low cost, long life, and ensure the safety of battery applications.
Ternary lithium batteries have high energy density and power density, but are expensive and relatively weak in safety. Relevant Chinese documents propose that medium and large electrochemical energy storage power stations should not use ternary lithium batteries and sodium-sulfur batteries, and cascade utilization power batteries should not be used.
In lithium battery technology, lithium iron phosphate batteries have excellent safety, long cycle life, abundant metal resource reserves, low cost and environmental protection, and have become the main choice of energy storage batteries.
Peach