What is a lead acid battery?

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, PbO 2.

What are the disadvantages of a lead-acid battery?

In addition to the relatively poor performance of the battery at low and high ambient temperatures, and its relatively short lifetime, the main disadvantages of the lead–acid battery are the necessity for periodic water maintenance and its low specific energy and power.

Are lead acid batteries corrosive?

However, due to the corrosive nature the elecrolyte, all batteries to some extent introduce an additional maintenance component into a PV system. Lead acid batteries typically have coloumbic efficiencies of 85% and energy efficiencies in the order of 70%.

What are the technical challenges facing lead–acid batteries?

The technical challenges facing lead–acid batteries are a consequence of the complex interplay of electrochemical and chemical processes that occur at multiple length scales. Atomic-scale insight into the processes that are taking place at electrodes will provide the path toward increased efficiency, lifetime, and capacity of lead–acid batteries.

How does voltage affect a lead-acid battery?

Thus, the maximum voltage reached determines the slope of the temperature rise in the lead-acid battery cell, and by a suitably chosen limiting voltage, it is possible to limit the danger of the “thermal runaway” effect.

Do lead-acid batteries self-discharge?

All lead-acid batteries will naturally self-discharge, which can result in a loss of capacity from sulfation. The rate of self-discharge is most influenced by the temperature of the battery’s electrolyte and the chemistry of the plates.