last highlighted date: 2024-10-29
Highlights
- LFP cells have an operating voltage of 3.3 V, charge density of 170 mAh/g, high power density, long cycle life and stability at high temperatures.[18]
- LFP’s major commercial advantages are that it poses few safety concerns such as overheating and explosion, as well as long cycle lifetimes, high power density and has a wider operating temperature range. Power plants and automobiles use LFP.[19][20]
- The safety is a crucial property for certain applications. For example, in 2016 an LFP-based energy storage system was installed in Paiyun Lodge on Mt.Jade (Yushan) (the highest alpine lodge in Taiwan). As of 2024, the system is still operating safely.[3]
- Although LFP has 25% less specific energy (Wh/g) than lithium batteries with oxide (e.g. nickel-cobalt-manganese, NCM) cathode materials, primarily due to its operational voltage (3.2 volts vs 3.7 for NCM-type cathode chemistries), it has 70% more than nickel-hydrogen batteries.
- The major differences between LFP batteries and other lithium-ion battery types is that LFP batteries contain no cobalt (removing ethical and economic questions about cobalt’s availability) and have a flat discharge curve.
- LFP batteries have drawbacks, originating from a high electronic resistivity of LFP, as well as the lower maximum charge/discharge voltage. The energy density is significantly lower than LiCoO 2 (although higher than the nickel–metal hydride battery).