The most common type of battery used in energy storage systems is lithium-ion batteries. In fact, lithium-ion batteries make up 90% of the global grid battery storage market. A Lithium-ion battery is the type of battery that you are most likely to be familiar with. Lithium-ion batteries are used in cell phones and laptops.
A battery energy storage system (BESS) or battery storage power station is a type of energy storage technology that uses a group of batteries to store electrical energy.
Batteries are mature energy storage devices with high energy densities and high voltages. Various types exist including lithium-ion (Li-ion), sodium-sulphur (NaS), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), lead acid (Pb-acid), lead-carbon batteries, as well as zebra batteries (Na-NiCl 2) and flow batteries.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2019 Energy Storage Technology and Cost Characterization Report, for a 4-hour energy storage system, lithium-ion batteries are the best option when you consider cost, performance, calendar and cycle life, and technology maturity.
Energy storage systems have become widely accepted as efficient ways of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and oftentimes, unreliable, utility providers. A battery energy storage system is the ideal way to capitalize on renewable energy sources, like solar energy.
On the other hand, The Energy Storage Association says lead-acid batteries can endure 5000 cycles to 70% depth-of-discharge, which provides about 15 years life when used intensively. The ESA says lead-acid batteries are a good choice for a battery energy storage system because they’re a cheaper battery option and are recyclable.