Life evaluation of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for load-leveling applications

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has initiated a test program to evaluate the suitability of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries for use in deep-discharge cycling applications. The program includes the examination of VRLA batteries of the gelled-electrolyte design and the absorbed-electrolyte type. This work is sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO). While VRLA batteries have found use in standby and uninterruptable power source applications, insufficient data available to determine their performance and life in repetitive cycling applications. The objectives of the ANL test plan are (1) to use accelerated testing techniques to obtain evidence within a 6 month test period that indicate an expected life in a utility operating environment, (2) to determine VRLA battery life within a 2-3 year time period under conditions (temperature and depth-of-discharge) that closely simulate those encountered in load-leveling operations, and (3) to assess the applicability and usefulness of accelerated testing procedures for deep-discharge cycling applications. 4 figs., 4 tabs.