Hello all you solar enthusiasts out there! Today, I’d like to peel back the layers on a quite technical yet utterly critical part of the solar industry: batteries. Solar array for homes often require powerful and efficient storage systems, and currently lithium-ion batteries have in the spotlight. But are all lithium-ion batteries created equal? Let’s dive a little deeper into this question by comparing the two common types used by solar companies, namely nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Now, many of you may have heard the general consensus: LFP batteries are safer than NMC counterparts; however, recent research disputes this rudimentary conception. As it turns out, the workings of these batteries are far more intricate than what meets the eye.
A battery’s safety relies significantly on the off-gas it generates during a thermal runaway – a situation where the battery’s temperature rapidly increases to dangerous levels. This off-gas, known to be flammable and toxic, can be a major safety concern, especially for those considering solar panels for their home.
In a riveting new paper, a group of researchers from the UK have contested the conventional understanding. Their study revealed that NMC batteries generate larger specific off-gas volumes, while LFP batteries impose a greater flammability hazard and exhibit greater toxicity, depending on the state of charge (SOC).
What’s particularly important about this finding is that toxicity varies with SOC, which means a higher SOC could lead to greater specific gas volume generation. In essence, if your battery is highly charged, the risk of an accident could be greater. The research has also discovered that prismatic cells, another design of lithium-ion battery, tend to generate larger specific off-gas volumes.
However, it’s vital to note that each battery’s fire hazard is different. Calculations show that the lower flammability limit (LFL) for LFP is at 6.2%, while it’s at 7.9% for NMC batteries. Crucially, LFP cells breach their LFL within an 18% smaller volume than NMC batteries, making them present a more significant fire hazard.
In conclusion, we mustn’t jump to simplified views when dealing with intricate systems like batteries. Safety factors are nuanced and require sophisticated analysis. When choosing a solar company, ask about the batteries they use. Are they NMC or LFP? Understand the risks involved, and let’s continue to make informed decisions. Let’s continue our journey towards a sustainable future with solar.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/04/10/how-safe-are-lfp-batteries/
