Testing the Performance of Li-Ion Batteries

Overview

1. About ITP

2. Why test?

3. What and how are we testing?

4. Building the test Centre

5. Results website

6. Phase 2

About ITP

• Specialist renewable energy consulting firm

• Over 30 years international experience and 1,500 projects

• Offices in Australia, UK, Portugal, India, and China

Why Storage – in remote communities

• Remote sites with high fuel costs & poor fuel security

• Increase power quality and reliability

• Need to shift renewable generation to match load

• Renewable Penetration vs Contribution

RE only

Inverter

control

Power quality

storage Diesel off

storage

Other techs

required

Loss of gen

storage

Load shifting storage

Why are we testing?

Lithium-ion manufacturers claim:

•higher efficiency

•deep discharge

• longer lifetimes

•tolerance to high temperatures

• lower cost

But is that really true?

Trial Objectives

To inform future energy storage investors by

analysing the performance of six major lithium-ion

battery brands / types and comparing these to lead-

acid technologies.

• Canberra-based test centre

• Comparing six lithium-ion batteries to a

conventional lead acid battery and an advanced

lead acid battery.

• Fast charge and discharge rates

• Mimicking ‘real world’ temperatures

• Publishing performance data

What we are testing

10 of xx slides

Product Country of Origin Chemistry

Tesla USA Nickel Manganese Cobalt

Sony Fortelion Japan Lithium Iron Phosphate

LG Chem Korea Nickel Manganese Cobalt

CALB China Lithium Iron Phosphate

Samsung Korea Lithium manganese oxide

Kokam Storaxe Korea Nickel Manganese Cobalt

EcoUlt Ultraflex USA Lead acid carbon

Sonnenschein Germany Lead acid

How are we testing – temperature and charge and

discharge profile

How are we testing – temperature and charge and

discharge profile

How are we testing – temperature and charge and

discharge profile

What we are measuring

• Number of charge / discharge cycles

• State of Charge of the batteries at 15

minute intervals

• Routine battery test results of usable

battery capacity (monthly)

• Energy to / from battery banks

• Battery efficiency

• Temperature data

What we will be reporting

Detailed analysis published every six months

over the three years of the test.

• The technical performance and cost-

effectiveness

• Actual performance compared to

manufacturers’ claims

• Why some batteries may be performing

better or worse than expected

• Lessons that can be drawn about

hypothetical investment cases

Building the test centre

Building the test centre

Building the test centre

Knowledge Sharing Website

batterytestcentre.com.au

Lessons Learned

• The Li-ion battery market is still evolving and is

very fluid. Some products are replaced or

discontinued

• Technical support is often not available in

Australia – sales staff do not understand their

products

• Safety requirements for batteries can add

significant cost in commercial applications

• Li-ion batteries are often only compatible with a

limited range of inverters

• Battery pack voltages can vary considerably (i.e.

many are based on the lead acid standard of 48V

while others are high voltage, e.g. Tesla.

Key things to consider

• Standardisation of communications

between BMSes and inverters is required

• Safety standards need to catch up with

current technology

• Keeping up to date on technological

developments is key, as the market is

moving so quickly.

Phase 2

• Wider range of battery technologies

• Different testing parameters

• Focus on full systems rather than just

battery packs

• Seeking interest from stakeholders

Southern Cross House,

6/9 McKay St, Turner, ACT

PO Box 6127 O’Connor, ACT 2602

info@itpau.com.au

p +61 (0) 2 6257 3511

f +61 (0) 2 6257 3611

itpau.com.au

IT Power Renewable Energy Consulting

Thank you for your attention