Abstract
This paper examines the implications of using alternative battery chemistries in stationary applications; specifically, those which traditionally use lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries. In it we examine safety, reliability, maintenance, and regulatory impacts involved as well as size, weight, and cost comparison factors. For comparative purposes we choose a 20-year design life 200-AH 60-cell VLA battery installed in a temperature-controlled environment as the standard, with an assigned factor of 1.0, and we compare the other chemistries to this standard.
Alternative chemistries considered include lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and sodium metal chloride. We also consider compact/sealed versions of the traditional chemistries to highlight advances aimed at addressing some of their main drawbacks. By comparing old and new battery technologies we seek to answer the following questions. Do the new higher energy density chemistries offer meaningful benefits in stationary applications, and if so, do the benefits justify the costs?