Makers are boosting production for the anticipated rise in requirement.

China suppliers of batteries are preparing for the rapid growth in the solar and wind turbine industry, fueled by the accelerating trend for renewable energy. They are positioning lead-acid and lithium types, in particular, with most planning an output increase in coming months. Makers are expecting a 10 to 20 percent boost in total sales this and next year.

MCA Battery Manufacture Co. Ltd is aiming for a 10 percent uptick in production. About 50 percent of its current yield of lead-acid variants is for power storage systems, and more than half is shipped, mainly to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Narada Power has invested $211 million in a subsidiary called Hangzhou Narada, which will start operating in 2016. The latter will churn out 400MWh Li-ion and 2,000MWh VRLA power storage batteries for solar and wind turbines, besides 800MWh and 1,000MWh of respective chemistries for electric vehicles.

China makers base their bright outlook on projections for the energy industry in the next decade. Worldwide solar and wind power generation will have capacity surpassing 1,300GW, according to Navigant Research. This, in turn, requires corresponding storage facilities owing to the variable nature of these resources.

The installed capacity of power storage systems, however, is expected to reach 21.8GW only during the same period. While a challenge, there is opportunity here, especially as Germany, Japan and the US strive to bridge the wide gap. These countries have policies aimed at pushing for the development of power storage systems in their respective regions, promising a huge market for ancillary industries.

China battery companies are therefore stressing lead-acid kinds for the applications, which need enhanced capacity, charging efficiency, safety and reliability, long operating life and low price.

The mature chemistry has 300 to 500W/kg power density, less than 100mohm internal resistance, 2V rated voltage and 5C peak load current. It supports charging cycles of between
400 and 500 times, and operates in -20 to 60 C. Quotes range from $60 to $100 per kWh. With these advantages, such batteries are the mainstream in solar and wind turbines.

The China Chilwee Group offers the CNF Series gel variants with 40 to 500Ah and 12V rated capacity and voltage. These units have a national patent.

Makers are confident the more-advanced lithium types will gradually replace the older technology once rates go down.

Batteries for solar and wind turbines currently represent between 10 and 60 percent of manufacturers’ output.

More than 80 percent of the companies catering to these renewable energy sectors are in Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Emerging storage option

Supercapacitors are finding increasing adoption in “green” applications as well. The last includes electric vehicles, and solar and wind turbines in the US, Japan and Germany. The component offers 103 to 106W/kg power density, up to 95 percent charging efficiency, 10 to 20min charging period and 50,000 to 100,000 cycles. It operates in -40 to 80 C. In addition, the device has high-reliability, maintenance-free and environment-friendly attributes.

Some China suppliers have ventured into supercapacitor development and manufacture for the same uses. Many more are expected to follow suit in coming years.

Beijing HCC has models for solar and wind turbines, EVs, communication equipment and medical devices. It can produce cells with capacity as high as 100,000F. The maker can customize cells, modules and energy control systems. Spurred by climbing demand locally and overseas, it plans to raise output by between 10 and 20 percent in coming months.

Typical selection

MCA's model GFM-1000 VRLA battery has 1,000Ah and 2V nominal capacity and voltage. Its internal resistance is ≤0.19mohm.

China’s mainstream lead-acid batteries for solar and wind turbines have 200 to 3,000Ah and 2V, and 40 to 250Ah and 12V rated capacity and voltage. These require 2 to 5hr charging and last 1,000 cycles. The type dominates production.

In the lithium category, the range consists of 20 to 200Ah and 12, 24 and 36V units. Products have 2 to 4hr charging time and a life span exceeding 1,000 cycles.

Most materials and components are sourced from domestic providers unless specified by customers. Costs remain flat, keeping prices steady. This trend is expected to persist until end-2014.

Related reports:
Gel VRLA batteries: R&D on advanced units continues while makers release semigel types
Li-polymer power storage batteries: Suppliers advance line