Electrochemical Accumulators for Stationary Use

Electrochemical accumulators (or rechargeable batteries) are currently a reference technology for the accumulation of electrical energy in mobile or stationary applications. In particular, electrochemical accumulators play a key role in the transition to electric mobility and use of renewable sources, in particular wind and photovoltaic. However, each application sector has different operating conditions, technologies, degree of development and market volumes: Lithium-ion batteries are very popular for portable devices, just as lead-acid batteries are commonly used to start the internal combustion vehicles. Less common, albeit rapidly growing, are batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. The use of batteries for the accumulation of electricity in electricity transmission and distribution networks is also growing to better manage the energy produced and fed into non-programmable renewable sources, such as wind and photovoltaic. This document deals in particular with more widely used batteries, such as those based on lead or lithium-ion technology, nickel batteries, flow batteries and high temperature sodium (sodium-sulfur, NaS and sodium-nickel chloride, Na-NiCl₂).

The world market of batteries for stationary use is mainly covered by lithium-ion and sodium/sulfur batteries, although it is possible to find lead acid systems and flow batteries: in a short-medium term perspective (2025-2030) it is expected a more massive penetration of lithium-ion batteries and a significant increase in flow batteries.