Charging and discharging characteristics of Lead acid and Li-ion batteries

The secondary battery (or rechargeable battery) is such battery where electrical energy can be stored as chemical energy and this chemical energy is then converted to electrical energy as when required. Batteries are used for this purpose from more than a century. Use of battery for off grid power supply can increase overall system efficiency, and provide economic savings across the system life cycle. Reliability of power supply from renewable and conventional sources can improve by using battery as energy storage medium. Battery can be charge by using solar energy for use of renewable energy or by power supply for use of conventional energy supply. Different battery shows different voltage and current characteristics when charged by using power supply. This paper outlines the charging and discharging characteristics of Lead acid and Li-ion batteries Experiment was conducted in Solar Lighting Lab at TERI, New Delhi. The main aim of this paper is to introduce the reader to the concept of end of charge and discharge of battery.