5 Benefits Of Using LiFePo4 Batteries For Remote Communication

Due to the technological development of LiFePo4 batteries, it is being used in more and more fields. For example, data center UPS backup power is slowly changing from lead-acid batteries to lithium batteries. Although LiFePo4 batteries cost much more than lead-acid batteries, But this trend has been predicted by most battery experts.

In this article, we will focus on the advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4), especially in the backup power supply of remote communication sites!

For those engaged in mission-critical remote communication projects, a common problem is choosing the right battery technology to ensure that the service level agreements (SLAs) of different locations are met.

For remote areas powered by solar energy, ensuring uptime and scheduling maintenance are particularly difficult.

Fortunately, lithium batteries have become a revolutionary battery technology that promises low maintenance and excellent performance. But not all lithium batteries are the same.

There are many types of batteries with unique lithium-based chemistry. For different applications, each battery has its advantages and disadvantages.

High Operating Temperature

The worst time for power failure is in extremely hot conditions, such as in a heat wave or forest fire.

In remote areas powered by solar energy, ensuring efficient energy use is crucial. You can save valuable solar energy costs in the solar system by saving AC power usage.

Due to the continuous advancement of lithium technology, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries have an incredibly high operating temperature. High-quality lithium batteries can withstand temperatures up to 60°C, while your standard lead-acid batteries can withstand operating temperatures of 20°C to 25°C.

With lithium batteries, you don't have to worry about having to rely on cooling measures.

Energy Density

A common result that needs to be achieved at a communication site is to obtain the highest possible power output from the smallest possible space area.

Communications providers continue to push for longer runtimes and higher SLAs. This is especially a challenge for solar sites. Technicians may have to guarantee autonomy (operability) for up to 7 days in the absence of sunlight.

Compared with lead-acid batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries have higher energy density, lighter weight, and take up less physical space. Lithium batteries can be up to 50% lighter than lead-acid batteries.

Since the battery rack takes up less space, you have more space to add additional equipment (such as transmitters) as demand grows without the need for extensive reconfiguration. This saves additional infrastructure costs and the potential hassle of renegotiating land leases.

Redundancy

If option 1 fails, fail-safe option 2 is required.

Modular systems using lithium iron phosphate batteries (such as the BSLBATT ESS BATTERY energy storage optimizer) are the most effective and effective way to achieve redundancy of remote communication sites.

With the "master-slave" setting, if one module fails, other modules can take over to keep the system running until proper maintenance can be performed.

An energy storage system composed of parallel battery modules can not only achieve greater redundancy, but also your building blocks can support the system when needed.

Remote monitoring can also be realized in the modular system, so you can learn the operating status of the communication site from the control center.

Longer Service Life

At present, most of the lithium-ion batteries used in mobile power sources on the market have a cycle life of about 500-800 times, while the lifespan of lithium iron phosphate batteries at 80% DOD is at least 2000 times. Therefore, if the internal storage unit of the mobile power supply is a lithium iron phosphate product, it has an absolute advantage in terms of expected service life.

The cathode material of lithium iron phosphate battery does not contain precious metals and rare metals, which is more environmentally friendly and can effectively reduce environmental pollution. In addition, a wide range of material sources also makes the material cost lower and has a better price advantage.

High Reliability

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are trusted by the entire communications industry. The technology has been validated, tested and tested, and can withstand extreme climatic conditions in any region of the world.

As we all know, lithium batteries have low tolerance in terms of equal charging and discharging. Most high-quality lithium iron phosphate batteries, such as the BSLBATT B10 series, will include a built-in battery management system (BMS) to improve reliability. Reliability is especially important when it comes to remote sites.

BMS ensures that each battery is balanced during charging and discharging, and ensures that the battery is not over-discharged. If not, the lithium battery may be at risk of battery damage and potential failure.

BMS also significantly extends battery life, which means lower maintenance and replacement costs.

Remember when the "hoverboard" caught fire a few years ago? That's because the circuit board runs out of cheap lithium batteries without BMS.

Therefore, in order to ensure that your communication site remains online, it is not worthwhile to cut corners and costs by using inferior lithium batteries.

Remote Monitoring of Battery & System 

Every BSLBATT ESS Lithium Iron battery includes a Battery Management System (BMS) which measures and reports cell resistance, cell voltage, cell temperature, pack current, pack resistance, and many other critical performance metrics. The BMS connects to an internet-enabled computer for easy online monitoring of each cell's performance. This saves regular site visits required by lead-acid batteries to measure resistance by physically clamping a device to each cell. With hundreds of cells at a single site, this process can take hours or days.

For further performance tracking, the battery inverter and solar photovoltaic charge source (if present) can connect to the same online portal. New equipment offers hardware-level encryption of system performance data that can be securely viewed anywhere with an internet connection.

Don't Know How to Choose LifePo4 Battery for Your Project? Just Ask us!

Not only in the application of telecommunications, but LifePo4 is also excellent in broadband, telecommunications, utilities, microgrids, residential backup power, uninterrupted power, renewable energy, medical, aerospace and defense, high-quality startup, lighting, etc. Performance, BSLBATT ESS Battery provides lithium battery design and solutions for these applications. We have more than 18 years of experience in lithium battery solutions. Using LifePo4 to provide the lowest total cost of energy storage for off-grid and microgrids, we are in a leading position in the battery energy storage industry. We design and assemble smart batteries and focus on the long-term reliability and safety of energy storage solution systems.