Lead batteries for utility energy storage: A review

Energy storage using batteries is accepted as one of the most important and efficient ways of stabilising electricity networks and there are a variety of different battery chemistries that may be used. Lead batteries are very well established both for automotive and industrial applications and have been successfully applied for utility energy storage but there are a range of competing technologies including Li-ion, sodium-sulfur and flow batteries that are used for energy storage. The technology for lead batteries and how they can be better adapted for energy storage applications is described. Lead batteries are capable of long cycle and calendar lives and have been developed in recent years to have much…