Lithium-ion battery technology has popped in and out of the news in recent years, mostly for safety concerns. But engineers who understand how lithium batteries work know that it’s among the best and safest commercial options for energy storage needs. Lithium-ion batteries remain the go-to energy storage technology worldwide and account for 83 percent of newly announced energy storage projects in 2016, according to a new report by Navigant Research.
Garia, a leading manufacturer of golf and utility vehicles, has chosen RELiON Battery as its primary supplier of lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) to operate a fleet of all-electric Garia Utility vehicles.
The United States’ solar energy market is booming, and 2016 was a remarkable year for renewable energy growth. In fiscal Q3 and Q4, the industry saw record growth in new photovoltaic installations, which increased the total nationwide solar capacity to 35.8 gigawatts.
The golf cart battery industry is in a state of flux. On one hand we have golf cart manufacturers and retailers that realize lithium-ion batteries are better for golf cart performance and longevity than lead acid batteries. On the other hand are consumers who resist the high upfront cost of lithium golf cart batteries, and consequently still rely on inferior lead-acid battery options.
Lithium ion technology is frequently being pushed into new frontiers, and those advancements are increasing our potential to live more environmentally-friendly and economically-savvy lives. Let’s take Tesla’s Powerwall, a lithium-ion home battery, for example.
Electric cars are still a growing force in the automobile market, despite low gas prices in the U.S. for the last two years. The industry is seeing research innovations and consumer demand equally propelled by the desire to maximize green energy opportunities and harness the potential of autonomous vehicles.
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine stumbled upon a new discovery that allows them to create a nanowire-infused battery that can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times without breaking down. This innovation paves the way toward greatly improved battery lifespans for computers, smartphones, appliances, cars and spacecraft.
Lithium-ion battery research in June and early July show that manufacturers can drastically improve lithium batteries by optimizing current materials, rather than developing new components. Research teams at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and Texas A&M University published papers discussing two different methods of capitalizing on lithium ion battery construction methods.