The lead acid battery is traditionally the most commonly used battery for storing energy. It is already described extensively in Chapter 6 via the examples therein and briefly repeated here. A lead acid battery has current collectors consisting of lead. The anode consists only of this, whereas the anode needs to have a layer of lead oxide, PbO2.
There are two major types of lead–acid batteries: flooded batteries, which are the most common topology, and valve-regulated batteries, which are subject of extensive research and development [4,9]. Lead acid battery has a low cost ($300–$600/kWh), and a high reliability and efficiency (70–90%) .
The lead–acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery first invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It is the first type of rechargeable battery ever created. Compared to modern rechargeable batteries, lead–acid batteries have relatively low energy density. Despite this, they are able to supply high surge currents.
From that point on, it was impossible to imagine industry without the lead battery. Even more than 150 years later, the lead battery is still one of the most important and widely used battery technologies. Lead-acid batteries are known for their long service life.
Lead–acid batteries are the dominant market for lead. The Advanced Lead–Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) has been working on the development and promotion of lead-based batteries for sustainable markets such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), start–stop automotive systems and grid-scale energy storage applications.
Following are some of the important applications of lead – acid batteries : As standby units in the distribution network. In the Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS). In the telephone system. In the railway signaling. In the battery operated vehicles. In the automobiles for starting and lighting.