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Are Lithium Batteries Safe?

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18 Mar, 2024

This post was originally published on Power Sonic

Navigating the intricacies of energy storage technologies is becoming increasingly crucial amidst rising concerns about lithium-ion batteries causing explosions. It’s important to distinguish between lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and lithium-ion batteries, as they serve similar purposes, yet exhibit distinctive safety differences. This awareness is essential for acknowledging that lithium batteries can, indeed, be both safe and reliable, especially when opting for enhanced safety with Power Sonic’s LiFePO4 technology.

UNDERSTANDING SAFETY BASICS

Concerns regarding lithium batteries often arise due to the phenomenon of thermal runaway. This occurs when the battery’s temperature undergoes an uncontrollable surge, setting off a chain reaction of heightened heat generation and increased gas production. This sequence of events has the potential to lead to a fire or explosion.

The association between lithium-ion batteries and the risk of catching fire is primarily linked to their utilization of volatile electrolytes and the potential for thermal runaway. Several factors contribute to this risk, including overcharging, physical damage, manufacturing defects, exposure to high temperatures, and internal faults caused by misuse or abuse within the battery.

In response to these concerns, LiFePO4 batteries were specifically engineered to reduce the risks associated with lithium thermal runaway, positioning it as the safest lithium chemistry available in the market. At Power Sonic, our commitment to safety and reliability is unwavering, evident in our exclusive use of LiFePO4 technology across our lithium product lines.

LIFEPO4 SAFETY

LiFePO4 serves as a beacon of safety by employing a more stable cathode material (iron phosphate) and boasting a distinct stable chemical composition. The choice of cathode material, overall cell design, and chemical composition play pivotal roles in determining safety characteristics.

Lithium Chemistry

While LiFePO4 batteries technically have the capability to thermally run away, due to the differences in chemistry, such incidents are exceedingly rare, particularly when handled with proper maintenance and usage practices. Adherence to recommended guidelines for charging, discharging, and storage, along with the implementation of appropriate safety measures, minimizes the risk of a thermal event associated with LiFePO4 batteries to near zero.

Users prioritizing responsible usage and following manufacturer recommendations can confidently rely on the engineered safety features of LiFePO4 batteries, ensuring that concerns about fires remain negligible. More importantly, if a thermal event does occur, the reaction is extremely mild and never reaches high temperatures. For more information on proper lithium care, explore our blog here.

Power Sonic goes the extra mile to enhance safety by encasing LiFePO4 batteries in a specialized plastic material capable of withstanding high temperatures and containing most thermal events.

BENEFITS OF LiFePO4 BATTERIES

LiFePO4 batteries not only excel in safety compared to lithium-ion counterparts but also offer numerous additional benefits:

Extended Cycle Life

LiFePO4 batteries boast a prolonged cycle life, maintaining peak performance over an extended number of charge and discharge cycles. This longevity not only ensures reliability but also contributes to sustainability by minimizing the frequency of replacements. LiFePO4 exceeds lead acid cycle life by over 10x and can exceed most other lithium chemistries by 3x or more.

Lithium Cycle Life

Charging Characteristics

LiFePO4 batteries display a flatter voltage profile during charging, facilitating more manageable and predictable charging cycles. lithium-ion batteries present a steeper voltage profile requiring more absorption time and close monitoring. To learn more about LiFePO4 charging, check out our blog “How to Charge Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries”.

Lithium Charging Characteristics

Cost

While LiFePO4 batteries may incur higher initial costs than lead acid, they are much less expensive than other lithium chemistries. Their extended cycle life and enhanced safety features can render them far more economical in the long run.

Applications in High-Power Devices

LiFePO4 batteries are well-suited for high-power applications, such as electric vehicles and power tools, where their stable performance and safety features are particularly advantageous.

Environmentally Friendly

The materials used in LiFePO4 batteries are considered more environmentally friendly compared to some other lithium-ion chemistries, contributing to a greener and more sustainable energy storage solution. Additionally, all components of the LiFePO4 chemistry are ethically sourced.

Through LiFePO4 technology, individuals and industries alike can embrace the advantages of lithium, without compromising safety. In navigating the lithium landscape, the fear often associated with lithium dissipates, making room for a future where cutting-edge technology aligns seamlessly with peace of mind. Unleash the power of LiFePO4 batteries with Power Sonic’s lithium line, offering a safe solution to demanding applications that require a lighter weight, longer life, and higher capacity.

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Sydney developer Billbergia Group has announced the Rhodes Recreation Centre — an $85 million, 9200 m2 multi-purpose community hub in Sydney’s Inner West.

Located at 6 Gauthorpe St and designed by architectural firm SJB, the recreation centre is in a three-level podium building beneath two high-rise residential towers — the 48-level Peake and 43-level Oasis. Together, they form stage two of the developer’s Rhodes Central Masterplan — a $3 billion, three-stage town centre project.

The Rhodes Recreation Centre was delivered under a $97 million Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the developer and City of Canada Bay Council. It will be handed over to council next month and is set to open later this year. Once complete, the masterplan will have delivered 25,000 m2 of dedicated public amenity, including retail, community facilities and open space.

With the NSW Government’s housing reforms set to address the housing shortage, the recreation centre will reflect the importance of ‘placemaking’ — a collaborative approach to designing and managing public spaces that enhances community wellbeing and fosters connections between people and their environment — in planning new urban communities.

It also presents a pathway for public and private sectors to collaborate and create social infrastructure while increasing housing supply in fast-growing suburbs.

The recreation centre is set to add vibrancy and pedestrian activity to the local streetscape, providing a diverse range of facilities that enhance the livability of the evolving suburb. These community amenities include two full-sized indoor sports courts, a gymnastics centre, a 70-place childcare centre, a community lounge, allied health services, and bookable spaces for local groups and events. It also provides a gym with cardio equipment, weights, group fitness rooms, a creche and an outdoor terrace, alongside a range of sustainability features.

Facilities at the Rhodes Recreation Centre. Images supplied.

“Rhodes Recreation Centre is the community heart of our high-density TOD development, bringing to life Billbergia’s vision for a future-focused, livable urban environment that prioritises amenity, not just density,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.

The amenities within the two residential towers include a swimming pool, spa, sauna, children’s play area, library and theatre rooms. Pedestrian connections and through-site links provide access to Rhodes railway station and the Homebush Bay waterfront.

“The Rhodes Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in successful public–private collaboration. Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, livable neighbourhoods,” Moran said.

Located adjacent to Rhodes railway station, stage one of Billbergia’s Rhodes Central Masterplan was completed in 2021 and included the 13,000 m2 Rhodes Central Shopping Centre, with convenience retail, a Woolworths supermarket, medical facilities and the Bamboo Lane dining precinct.

Other previous projects include the 1.2 ha Phoenix Park in Rhodes, the $63 million Bennelong Bridge, the popular Baylink Shuttle service, the 3500 m2 Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library, and the Wentworth Point Pop-Up Town Square.

Billbergia’s ongoing focus on placemaking and social infrastructure also includes the $8.4 million delivery of a library at its mixed-tenure development, Arncliffe Central, in Sydney’s south. There is the potential for 75% of Arncliffe Central’s dwellings to be dedicated to social, affordable and essential worker rental housing, along with 3400 m2 allocated to childcare, convenience retail and cafes, and a 4000 m2 park with play space for both residents and the broader community.

Top image caption: The Rhodes Recreation Centre location with two planned residential towers, Peake and Oasis. Image supplied.

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