An account of the development of the first valve-regulated lead/acid cell

Rechargeable Batteries for Grid Scale Energy Storage

“…In this regard, in the first half of the twentieth century, the high overpotential grid alloys, such as lead–antimony and lead–calcium grids, were developed for reducing hydrogen gas evolution onto the anode. Later, in the early second half of twentieth century, a valve regulated LAB (VRLAB) cell design (Figure b), which not only allowed the venting of hydrogen and oxygen gases but also prevented the entrance of air into the cells, thereby improving its overall safety, was introduced. , Hitherto, there have been two important developments pertaining to VRLABs: the absorbed glass mat (AGM) for holding the electrolyte within its pores, and the undivided gel battery based on silica to create a highly viscous gel-like electrolyte . These design developments have reduced the recharge time along with the self-discharge rate and consequently have improved the cycle life and specific power of LABs.…”

Comparison of two energy storage options for optimum balancing of wind farm power outputs

“…These issues are considered in a number of references, related to both general and specific characteristics of different energy storage systems, including their benefits and potential for grid integration. For example, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] compare different energy storage technologies, [11][12][13][14][15] discuss operation of PSH systems, while [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] analyse battery energy storage systems (BESS) -all these references, with additional relevant ones, are discussed in more detail in further text. This paper investigates feasibility of combining small and medium size wind-based DG technologies with a conventional, but smaller size PSH scheme, and an also conventional, but larger size inverterinterfaced BESS scheme.…”

“…Lead-acid batteries are the most mature BESS technology, with flooded lead-acid (FLA) and valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) technology improvements occurring over the past decades [6][7]17]. Notes: * up to 10 times lifecycle improvements for lead-carbon electrodes, [18][19]; VRLA is more expensive and with shorter lifetimes, but lower maintenance costs [7,20].…”

“…Batteries are also used for energy storage for a long time, but typically in smaller‐scale applications, due to high costs involved with larger installations. Lead–acid batteries are the most mature BESS technology, with flooded lead–acid (FLA) and valve‐regulated lead–acid (VRLA) technology improvements occurring over the past decades [6, 7, 17].…”

Battery packaging - Technology review

“…These cells were the first to use a separator material consisting of microfiber glass paper, now generally referred to as "absorbent glass mat" (AGM). The first commercially available AGM cell on the market was the Cyclon, patented by Gates Rubber Corporation in 1972 and now produced by Enersys [4]. The electrolyte is held in the glass mats, as opposed to freely flooding the plates.…”