Although the first commercial lithium ion battery was developed over three decades ago, the use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4) batteries in high power applications is still relatively new. This is due in part to the fact that it took another five years for the first LFP battery model to be invented, and then another ten years for a battery management system (BMS), or hardware and firmware that is designed to protect the lithium battery cells from being damaged, to be developed for use within these batteries. Iterative improvements in the coatings and the usage of nano-scale phosphate have made LFP batteries more and more efficient over time as well. During the past several decades, top-tier lithium battery manufacturers have had to maintain, and continually improve, their knowledge of, and expertise in, the latest lithium battery innovations in order to maintain a competitive advantage.
Lithium Battery Technology
Due to the fact that lithium batteries contain much more sophisticated technology, developing a lithium battery has not been as simple as it has for lead-acid batteries, which have been around since 1860. Designing, engineering, testing and manufacturing high quality lithium batteries requires niche and highly technical expertise, skills and experience. For example, whereas the primary protection mechanism for lead-acid batteries are physical valves, gel and absorbed glass mat, leading lithium battery brands rely upon cutting edge and ever-evolving BMS technology. The BMS within lithium batteries protects the cells from over or under-voltage, over-current, high temperature or external short-circuiting and will actually automatically shut off the lithium battery to protect the cells from unsafe operating conditions, which is not possible with lead-acid batteries.
Lithium Battery Companies
So how does this factor into your decision about which company to buy your lithium batteries from? From battery chemistry, to the inner workings of lithium battery ele to the integration of lithium batteries in myriad applications, it takes deep knowledge, superior engineering and highly informed customer support representatives to deliver reliable and long-lasting lithium batteries. Before making your next lithium battery purchase, it’s essential to take a close look at the company you are considering to ensure they meet these requirements so that you are able to make the most out of your energy storage investment.
“They’re both batteries, they provide energy, but a lithium battery is actually more complex than a lead-acid battery,” said Christine Feodorov, Director of Sales at RELiON. “With a lithium battery, because of the battery management system, you have to really understand how it interacts with the equipment. Coming from the lead-acid world, you don’t necessarily look at those technical requirements. So there’s a big learning curve.”
Where Should You Buy Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries?
Purchasing a lithium battery from a longtime lead-acid battery company may not be the best option if you want the highest standards in lithium technology and expert customer service. Lithium battery manufacturers like RELiON have honed their lithium battery expertise and speciality over the past several decades and have a proven track record to stand behind. RELiON has built a significant international presence with a global distribution network on most continents. Additionally, their base operations in the U.S. in particular are more robust than all competitors’ - with fully developed engineering, customer service, marketing, and finance teams to help achieve their customer-centric vision. RELiON hosts a team of experts who have a combined 190 years of battery experience and only invests in the people with the industry experience, training and relationships to ensure its customers’ success.
The company also has an ISO 9001:20015 certified factory, as well as a dedicated testing and R&D facility, to ensure the highest quality lithium batteries. RELiON’s Seattle-based engineering team works hand-in-hand with its manufacturing facilities to ensure top notch products that are helping to meet the global demand for interconnected energy storage technologies—from electric vehicles to off-grid power. Facilitated by the decades of in the field experience under their belt, RELiON’s expert engineering team has also developed the ability to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with integrating RELiON batteries into their own products, including through the creation of custom batteries..
Whether you are interested in increasing battery life, looking to decrease weight, or wanting a higher performing, safer battery option for your needs, you will want to rely on a team that has cultivated an incomparable level of expertise in lithium batteries. When making the switch to lithium batteries, knowing who you’re buying from is tantamount. You can be confident that RELiON’s advanced technology, top-tier engineering expertise and decades of experience in designing and manufacturing lithium batteries will enable you to find the highest performing batteries for your project paired with the highest quality support. To learn more about how to calculate your energy needs and find the optimal battery for your application and usage, visit our Lithium Battery Selector Tool. If you have additional questions feel free to get in touch with a representative to learn more about how RELiON’s advanced lithium batteries can meet the needs of your project.