Are Lithium Batteries Suitable for Inverters and UPS Systems?

Lithium batteries for inverter have been a topic of interest for homeowners, small business owners, IT professionals and solar installers across India. In today’s world, when power cuts are a common affair in all Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, having a reliable backup at your home, office or data centers has become an absolute must. However, despite the increasing popularity of lithium batteries for inverter and UPS, many users in India are unsure about their long-term value, compatibility and safety concerns.

Most of the inverters are still fitted with lead-acid batteries and there is a perception that this type of battery is good enough. So what are the actual benefits of lithium battery for inverter or UPS and are they good for inverter or UPS? Is there any compatibility or safety issues? Do they make sense from a long-term ROI perspective?

In this blog, we will guide you through all the important aspects related to lithium battery for inverter and UPS and help you to clear the doubts and make an informed decision so that you can consider going ahead with an advanced lithium battery solution from the leading inverter battery manufacturers in India like Shizen Energy India Private Limited.

The battery is an essential component of any inverter or UPS system and plays a key role in determining the backup time, charging time and overall performance. While lead-acid batteries have been the traditional choice for many years due to their lower upfront cost and wide availability, they suffer from frequent maintenance, shorter lifespan, heavier weight, and risk of acid spillage.

Lithium batteries, on the other hand, have emerged as the next-generation and the preferred choice of battery for inverters and UPS systems these days, thanks to the high efficiency, low maintenance and longer life and the growing energy needs and sustainability focus of India.

Compatibility

Most of the modern inverters and UPS systems can work with lithium battery packs but it is always recommended to check the compatibility in advance. Lithium battery packs would require a battery management system or a BMS to monitor and regulate the charging and discharging. Renowned lithium inverter battery manufacturers like Shizen Energy India design and manufacture the custom lithium battery packs with BMS for easy integration with single phase, three-phase and solar inverters as well.

Charging/Discharging Efficiency

Charging efficiency of lithium batteries is quite high – over 95% in most cases – and the charging time is also much faster in comparison to lead-acid batteries. This implies that the downtime is less and the backup power is more while dealing with the frequent and long duration power cuts in cities. The discharge profile is also much smoother which ensures that the voltage and power remains stable even when the battery is almost fully discharged.

Cycle Life vs Lead-Acid Batteries

Cycle life is an important performance metric for inverter and UPS batteries which measures the total number of times a battery can be charged and discharged until its capacity reduces below a defined limit. Lithium battery can withstand 2,000 to 5,000 recharge cycles or more, while lead-acid batteries can only last for 300–500 cycles, on an average.

The obvious benefit of lithium battery over lead-acid is its significantly longer lifespan which can last 4–10 times longer depending on the type of lithium battery, application and usage patterns. This helps to avoid frequent replacements, hassle, and reduce the total cost of ownership over the entire lifecycle. Apart from the longer lifespan, lithium batteries for UPS have following benefits:

1. Lightweight and Compact

Lithium batteries are as much as 60% lighter and compact in comparison to their lead-acid counterparts, which makes it easier to install and also save a lot of space, a crucial parameter in smaller homes and offices.

2. Low Maintenance

Lithium batteries do not require any maintenance at all, which means, no hassle of water top-up, checking the electrolyte levels and acid spillages and corrosion that can damage the device and wiring.

3. Fast Charging and Higher Efficiency

The lithium batteries also charge much faster, typically in 2–3 hours as compared to 8–10 hours in the case of lead-acid batteries. And the higher energy density of lithium battery also helps to achieve higher backup times with smaller battery packs.

4. Safety and Reliability

Lithium batteries for UPS are also much safer and more reliable because they are equipped with advanced BMS with thermal management features as well. They have international certifications like BIS, CE and UN38.3 that help to mitigate the risk of fire and other hazards. Shizen Energy India’s batteries are extensively tested to ensure the highest safety standards.

The lithium battery for UPS are undoubtedly better than lead-acid UPS batteries. So, if you are looking to make the switch, there are few things that need to be considered:

The primary concern with lithium batteries is the higher upfront cost in comparison to lead-acid batteries, although the long-term savings in terms of lower maintenance, longer lifespan, higher efficiency and better backup time can outweigh the cost to a great extent. The total cost of ownership (TCO) over the entire lifecycle, including the number of replacement cycles and savings in terms of maintenance and energy efficiency, should be considered to calculate the ROI.

Before purchasing a lithium battery, it is important to check with the inverter or UPS manufacturer or an expert like Shizen Energy India to ensure that it is compatible with lithium battery and if the compatible BMS is used, it can be easily integrated. Some older models of inverters or UPS may need minor modifications or a separate compatible BMS for use with lithium battery packs.

It is also advisable to only purchase lithium batteries for inverter and UPS from reputable manufacturers who offer clear and comprehensive warranty terms and have the necessary safety features in place. Shizen Energy India offer the product warranty and after-sales service in all the cities of India.

Li-ion batteries also work over a wide range of temperatures without any compromise on performance but should be protected from extreme heat and humidity as well. Proper installation and ventilation can help in extending the life of the battery and for optimal safety.

In summary, lithium batteries for inverter and UPS have emerged as a clear winner over the traditional lead-acid batteries. They are suitable for all types of inverters, UPS systems, including solar inverters, and applications ranging from home backup to critical business needs and commercial and industrial installations.

While the initial investment may be slightly higher, the long-term benefits and total cost of ownership, in the long run, make the lithium batteries a much smarter, greener and sustainable choice. By now, the lithium batteries for inverter and UPS systems should have cleared all your doubts.

If you have more questions or want to consult with the experts in the domain, request a quote, contact the Shizen Energy India’s team now to get more detailed and customized solutions from the leading lithium battery manufacturers in India, that are engineered in India and made for you.