Towards Unlocking the Full Potential of AGM-VRLA Battery for Energy Storage Solution

In this golden age of batteries, fueled by global warming and imperativeness to move away from fossil fuels, competing chemistries are vying to become the storage solution of choice to efficiently harness renewable energy. This motivates development of optimized energy storage solution (ESS) which can effectively balance performance and cost. In this context, AGM-VRLA batteries, if suitably developed, can offer itself for widespread adoption for ESS. The expectations from this battery has been outlined by Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI): 4500 cycles at 80% depth-of-discharge (DOD), energy storage efficiency of 80-90%, energy-density of 110Wh/l and acquisition cost of $325/kWh. Towards this end, we have developed a AGM-VRLA battery especially suited for tropical Indian climatic conditions. Subjecting to accelerated high temperature tests and low-rate partial-state-of-charge (LRPSoC) cycling, the product demonstrated significant improvement over conventional battery. This was made possible through a combination of FEA-based grid design optimization, specially formulated grid-active material interface and improved retention of element compression in cycling. Durability of the product was also demonstrated in an in-house containerised installation of 600V battery system catering to daily energy shifting operation. Further work is in progress on extending cycle life and improving efficiency to match the stated CBI targets. This advanced PbA technology will provide EOL recycling advantage in terms of ease of availability against competing technologies and hence a more definitive green environment.

Presenters

Antara Bhattacharjee

Assistant Manager – Reserve Power, VRLA R&D II Operations, Exide Industries Limited

Antara Bhattacharjee has completed her M. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from National Institute of Technology Rourkela in 2015. Post completion of M. Tech, she was a research scholar at NIT Rourkela, where she has published 6 articles in reputed SCI Journals and few more conference proceedings. She is with Exide Industries Limited for the last 3 years and currently holds the position of Assistant Manager – Reserve Power, VRLA at the Research & Development Centre of Exide Industries Limited, Kolkata. She is responsible for design and development of new product & modification of existing AGM VRLA products catering to IUPS, Datacentre and BESS application.

Suspanda Garai

Deputy Manager – Telecom & Solar, VRLA R&D II Operations, Exide Industries Limited

Suspanda Garai completed his B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Kalyani Government Engineering College in 2007 followed which he went on to pursue MBA from IISWBM, Kolkata. He has a spanning experience of both Industrial and automotive industry from past 18 years. He has been with Exide Industries Limited for the last 14 years and currently holds the position of Deputy Manager – Telecom & Solar, VRLA at the Research & Development Centre of Exide Industries Limited, Kolkata. He is responsible for developing new power solutions related to various
business sectors such as telecom & renewable energy solutions based on detailed market requirements. He also looks after defining new and optimizing existing process parameters involved in manufacturing of AGM VRLA.

Dr Sagar Sengupta

Technology Head – VRLA Standby II Operations, Exide Industries Limited

India

Dr Sagar Sen Gupta completed his Masters in Chemistry from Jadavpur University, Kolkata and then went on to receive his Ph.D. in “Electrocatalysis of Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells” at the Bengal Engineering & Science University, Shibpur in 2007. His areas of interest include electrochemistry, nanomaterials and electrochemical power sources. He has 8 research papers to his credit and numerous publications in conference proceedings. He has been with Exide Industries Limited for the last 17 years and currently holds the position of Technology Head-VRLA Standby II Operations at the Research & Development Centre of Exide Industries Limited, Kolkata.

Partha Dasgupta

Sr. VP & Head of R&D II Operations, Exide Industries Limited

Partha Dasgupta has represented Exide Industries Ltd as Chief Technology Officer for the last 5 years. He is an Energy Storage specialist with more than 25 years of handling Product, Process and Manufacturing Technology in Indian and Overseas Battery Energy Storage markets. This includes Technology forecasting, Technology Adaptation and Technology Transfer for Mobility, Reserve Power, and Motive Power Applications