High-Voltage or Low-Voltage Battery: Which One Sparks Joy in Your Energy Storage Needs?

In the context of residential energy storage, choosing between a high-voltage battery and a low-voltage battery is a common question that arises. While most people are aware that high-voltage batteries operate at higher voltages, they may not fully understand the differences between the two. Low-voltage battery systems typically operate at voltages below 100V, while high-voltage battery systems operate at voltages exceeding 100V, typically falling in the range of 250V to 300V. To help guide your decision-making process when selecting an energy storage battery, this article outlines some key differences between high-voltage and low-voltage batteries.

Energy Density

In real-world scenarios, higher voltage generally corresponds to higher energy density. For instance, when the lithium-ion voltage is increased from 4.2V to 4.35V, the energy density can increase by roughly 16%. This discrepancy in energy density results in high-voltage batteries being smaller and lighter in weight than their low-voltage counterparts of the same capacity.

Load Capacity

High-voltage batteries are capable of supporting higher load demands than low-voltage batteries due to their higher discharge rates. With a higher discharge rate, they can charge and discharge more quickly, providing the necessary power to meet rapid demand surges and power-up equipment. In contrast, low-voltage batteries may not be able to start certain devices that require a high instant charging rate during low-voltage battery charging.

Conversion Efficiency

The high-voltage battery system boasts higher conversion efficiency compared to low-voltage batteries, mainly due to the DC bus voltage typically ranging between 300 and 500V on the photovoltaic side of residential systems. In contrast, the inverter in low-voltage battery systems needs to lower the input voltage, which can reach 300-500V or higher, to below 100V. Unfortunately, this process incurs significant energy loss, resulting in lower overall operating efficiency of the energy storage system.

Service Life

High-voltage batteries typically have a longer service life due to their relatively smoother discharge curve, which means that frequent use has less impact on their lifespan. Additionally, high-voltage battery systems are less likely to overheat during use, which minimizes the potential for hidden dangers and further contributes to their extended service life.

Battery Management System

The primary distinguishing factor between low-voltage BMS and high-voltage BMS lies in the voltage range they are designed to handle. Typically, low-voltage BMS is suitable for batteries below 192V, while high-voltage BMS is designed for batteries above 192V. Assembling, managing, and maintaining high-voltage battery packs is relatively more complex, and consequently, the architecture of high-voltage BMS demands higher measurement accuracy and connection reliability.

Lithium Valley's high-voltage products have successfully passed a series of rigorous certifications such as IEC62040, EN62040, and more in Europe and America. These products can be effectively employed in various scenarios that demand higher quality standards, including households, commercial buildings, industrial fields, and power grids. However, low-voltage products still hold a significant market share due to their price advantage and well-established manufacturing processes. If you seek a reliable and certified energy storage battery supplier, Lithium Valley is an excellent choice. Please feel free to contact us.