The main differences between lithium iron phosphate power batteries and lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries are: different battery capacities, different application scenarios, differences in the battery management system BMS, different types of battery cells used, and different performance and designs.
【Battery Definition】
Lithium iron phosphate power batteries are mainly used to provide power, that is, to convert electricity into driving power and traction power through electric motors. Electric vehicles, electric trains, electric trucks, electric bicycles, electric tricycles, and electric ships use power batteries as power sources; indoor and outdoor traction vehicles used in schools, factories, and sports fields; and other electric tools such as drones and electric toys can also be powered by power batteries.
Lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries are used for energy storage. They are mainly used in solar power and wind power generation equipment, communication base stations, household energy storage, portable power sources, and storage batteries for renewable energy storage.
【Basic Differences】
Energy density and power density: Lithium iron phosphate power batteries > lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries
Lithium iron phosphate power batteries focus more on aspects such as charging and discharging power, requiring fast charging rates, high output power, shock resistance, and emphasizing high safety and high energy density to achieve long-lasting endurance, as well as lightweight requirements in terms of weight and volume.
Lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries emphasize battery capacity, especially running stability and service life, and consider battery module consistency. In terms of battery materials, it is necessary to pay attention to aspects such as expansion rate, energy density, and electrode material performance uniformity, to pursue long life and low cost of the overall energy storage equipment.
【Structural Components】
The structural components of lithium iron phosphate power batteries and lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries are different: the positive electrode material of the former is lithium iron phosphate or its derivatives, and the latter is lithium iron phosphate; the negative electrode material of the former is carbon black or high specific surface area carbon material, and the latter is graphite.
【Service Life】
Lithium iron phosphate power batteries < lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries. For power lithium batteries, energy storage lithium batteries have higher requirements for service life. The life span of new energy vehicles is generally about 8 years, while the life span of energy storage facilities is more than 10 years.
【Cycle Times】
The cycle life of lithium iron phosphate power batteries < lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries. The cycle life of power batteries is about 2000 cycles. The cycle life of energy storage lithium batteries requires more than 3500 cycles, and if the charging and discharging frequency is increased, the cycle life requirement is usually more than 5000 cycles.
【Overall Appearance】
Lithium iron phosphate power batteries are smaller and lighter in weight, while lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries are generally more square and heavy in appearance.
【Weight: Weight Requirements】
The weight of lithium iron phosphate power batteries < the weight of lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries.
Since the power consumption of new energy vehicles increases with the weight of the vehicle, power batteries require lighter weight. The requirements for energy storage batteries for energy storage facilities are large-scale, with a scale of megawatts or even hundreds of megawatts, and there are no significant requirements for the weight of the batteries. The cost of producing energy storage lithium batteries is lower than that of power lithium batteries, and safety requirements are also higher due to the lack of weight restrictions for energy storage lithium batteries.
【Height: Size】
The volume of lithium iron phosphate power batteries is equivalent to ten or twenty large carpets stacked together, while lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries are generally composed of multiple battery modules to form a large module, which is then composed of many large modules. Energy storage batteries close to the size of containers.
【Battery Capacity】
Battery capacity: lithium iron phosphate power batteries < lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries.
【Electrical Performance】
Discharge current: Lithium iron phosphate power batteries > lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries
Resistance: Lithium iron phosphate power batteries < lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries
If the same battery material is used for lithium iron phosphate power batteries and lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries, the power battery is slightly better in terms of quality, with lower internal resistance, and the energy storage battery is slightly worse, with higher internal resistance.
【Application Requirements】
Lithium iron phosphate power batteries have a larger variation in current during discharge and pay more attention to charging and discharging power. They require fast charging rates, high output power, shock resistance, especially high safety and high energy density, to achieve long-lasting endurance and lightweight requirements in terms of weight and volume. Energy storage batteries can be considered as relatively stable output, with generally small discharge current and long discharge time. In terms of battery materials, the lithium storage performance of the positive and negative electrode materials and the relevant performance of the electrolyte and diaphragm need to be considered.
Lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries generally require continuous charging or discharging for more than two hours, and they alsorequire high stability and consistency in terms of battery module performance. They also need to have a longer service life and higher energy storage capacity to meet the needs of energy storage applications.
【Component Cost】
The lithium iron phosphate power battery PACK is basically composed of five systems: battery module, battery management system (BMS), thermal management system, electrical system, and structural system. The cost of the power battery system is composed of comprehensive costs such as battery cells, structural components, BMS, casing, auxiliary materials, and manufacturing costs. The battery cells account for about 80% of the cost, while the Pack (including structural components, BMS, casing, auxiliary materials, manufacturing costs, etc.) accounts for about 20% of the cost of the entire battery pack.
The lithium iron phosphate energy storage battery system is mainly composed of a battery pack, battery management system (BMS), energy management system (EMS), energy storage inverter (PCS), and other electrical equipment. In the cost composition of the energy storage system, the battery is the most important component of the energy storage system, accounting for 60% of the cost; followed by the energy storage inverter, accounting for 20%; the cost of EMS (energy management system) accounts for 10%; the cost of BMS (battery management system) accounts for 5%; and the remaining 5% is for other components.
【Battery Management System】
The battery management system (BMS) used in lithium iron phosphate power batteries and lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries is also different. The BMS for power batteries is more focused on improving the charging and discharging performance of the battery, while also ensuring safety and reliability. The BMS for energy storage batteries needs to consider the balance of the battery pack, the monitoring of the battery pack’s state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), and the control of the battery pack’s temperature.
In summary, lithium iron phosphate power batteries and lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries have different application scenarios, requirements for battery capacity, electrical performance, and battery management systems. They both have their advantages and disadvantages and are designed to meet the specific needs of their intended applications.