Performance Comparison of Rechargeable Batteries for Stationary Applications (Ni/MH vs. Ni–Cd and VRLA)

• Main Authors: Michael A. Zelinsky, John M. Koch, Kwo-Hsiung Young
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-12-01
• Series: Batteries
• Subjects: nickel metal hydride battery; nickel–cadmium battery; valve-regulated lead-acid battery; stationary application; telecom
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/4/1/1

The stationary power market, particularly telecommunications back-up (telecom) applications, is dominated by lead-acid batteries. A large percentage of telecom powerplants are housed in outdoor enclosures where valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are commonly used because of their low-maintenance design. Batteries in these enclosures can be exposed to temperatures which can exceed 70 °C, significantly reducing battery life. Nickel–cadmium (Ni–Cd) batteries have traditionally been deployed in hotter locations as a high-temperature alternative to VRLA. This paper compares the performances of nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH), Ni–Cd, and VRLA batteries in a simulated telecom environment according to published testing standards. Among these three choices, Ni/MH batteries showed the best overall performance, suggesting substantially longer operating life in high temperature stationary use.