Development of Thin Plate Pure Lead-Acid systems for evolving reserve power applications

This paper discusses the development of the Thin Plate Pure Lead-Acid (TPPL) battery technology to meet the changing demands of reserve power applications. The paper will present an overview of the unique performance characteristics of TPPL technology and will go on to consider the challenges faced as traditional applications evolve to meet the reserve power requirements for tomorrow. The key topics discussed include points such as changes to environmental conditions, how stand-by applications have moved from benign float to increasingly cyclic duty and the implications of cost down pressures to product performance and service life. In addition to this, the paper will go on to consider the development of strategies to counter measure the adverse impact of operating in harsh conditions and will demonstrate techniques that can be utilised to prolong service life by means of optimising charging regimes which exploit the long shelf life and excellent charge acceptance characteristics which are uniquely inherent properties of the TPPL technology. The observations of the performance characteristics for the TPPL technology facilitates consideration of how the technology can be utilised in applications previously considered beyond the scope of operational possibility, in addition to offering the end user enhanced operation in existing applications. It is hoped that the data provided in this paper will encourage dialogue between end users and the battery manufacturer to develop & deliver tailored energy storage solutions which meet the challenges & demands for both existing and future applications.