Initial findings from the Battery Test Centre

IPS Flinders Island 2016

About ITP

• Specialist renewable energy consulting firm

• Over 35 years international experience and 1,500 projects

• Offices in Australia, UK, Portugal, India, and China

Why are we testing?

• Lead has ruled the medium scale / off-grid for too long

• Heavy and bulky = shipping costs increased

• Maintenance issue = early failure

• Relatively lower levels of discharge and cycle life

What are we testing?

Lithium-ion manufacturers claim:

• higher efficiency

• deeper discharge

• longer cycle life

• tolerance to high temperatures

But not independently verified

Trial Objectives

To inform future energy storage investors by

analysing the performance of six major lithium-ion

battery brands / types and comparing these to lead-

acid technologies.

• Canberra-based test centre

• Comparing six lithium-ion batteries to a

conventional lead acid battery and an advanced

lead acid battery.

• Fast (4-hr) charge and discharge

• Mimicking ‘real world’ temperatures

• Publishing performance data

What we are testing

Product Country of Origin Chemistry

Tesla USA Nickel Manganese Cobalt

Sony Fortelion Japan Lithium Iron Phosphate

LG Chem Korea Nickel Manganese Cobalt

CALB China Lithium Iron Phosphate

Samsung Korea Nickel Manganese Cobalt

Kokam Storaxe Korea Nickel Manganese Cobalt

EcoUlt Ultraflex USA Lead Carbon

Sonnenschein Germany Lead Acid

The Battery Test Centre

The Battery Test Centre

The Battery Test Centre

The Battery Test Centre

How are we testing – temperature and charge and

discharge profile

How are we testing – temperature and charge and

discharge profile

How are we testing – temperature and charge and

discharge profile

What we are measuring

• Number of charge / discharge cycles

• State of Charge at 10 minute intervals

• Monthly capacity tests (100% DOD)

• Total energy throughput

• Battery efficiency

• Temperature data

Knowledge Sharing Website

batterytestcentre.com.au

Initial results - temperature

Initial results – temperature

Initial results - temperature

Initial results – BMS failures

• Tesla BMS failure

• Temporary and resolved by Tesla

• Issue with Solar Edge inverter firmware

• KOKAM (ADS Tec) BMS Failure

• Has led to total Battery cell failure

• Currently working with ADS Tec/KOKAM to resolve the issue.

Conclusions from initial results

• Higher Efficiency – in most cases

• Deeper discharge – Confirmed

• Longer cycle life - TBC

• Tolerance to higher temperatures – in most cases

Lessons Learned

• The Li-ion battery market is still evolving.

Products are replaced, upgraded or discontinued

frequently.

• Technical support is often not available in

Australia – local sales staff do not always

understand their products. Getting better

• Safety requirements for batteries can add

significant cost in commercial applications.

• Li-ion batteries are often only compatible with a

limited range of inverters.

• Battery pack voltages can vary considerably (i.e.

many are based on the lead acid standard of 48V

while others are high voltage, e.g. Tesla)

Lessons learned

• Temperature derating of batteries may not be

linear, so care must be taken in design and

installation

• Wide range of temperature responses; this needs

to be investigated further

• Li-ion battery efficiency not always as good as

manufacturers claim but still superior to PbA

• BMS reliability is key – manufacturers need to

prove whole system reliability

Key things to consider

• Standardisation of communications

between BMS and inverters is required

• Safety standards need to catch up with

current technology

• Keeping up to date on technological

developments is key, as the market is

moving so quickly.

Flow on

• First Lithium-Ion battery on a Pacific island

• ACT NextGen initiative

• LG, Tesla, Kokam, Samsung have all visited the Batt lab

and regularly communicate with staff

• Batt Lab has hosted visits from MPs, technology companies

Phase 2

• Wider range of battery technologies

• Different testing parameters appropriate to

the technology

• Focus on full systems (inverter+battery)

rather than just battery packs

• Seeking interest from stakeholders

Southern Cross House,

6/9 McKay St, Turner, ACT

PO Box 6127 O’Connor, ACT 2602

info@itpau.com.au

p +61 (0) 2 6257 3511

f +61 (0) 2 6257 3611

itpau.com.au

ITP Renewables Consulting | Engineering | Implementation

Thank you for your time