ULTRAFLEX A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

SEC were pleased to see an announcement that the Ultraflex lead acid battery was released by Ecoult this month. As an Australian based subsidiary of East Penn, Ecoult has long championed the use of lead acid batteries in an industry where many favour Lithium.

While SEC aren’t opposed to lithium technology, we appreciate it for all it can do, we’ve learned over nearly two decades in the industry that lead acid is not a chemistry to abandoned so quickly. In fact, engineers are only just discovering where the ,

A MATURE TECHNOLOGY

Lead acid has provided industry with decades of certainty, but it also gives both manufacturers and users some real and relevant benefits. It is cost effective on both ends of the market. If we were to match size and cycle rates, then compare watt hours between the two chemistries, SLA remains the least expensive. It’s also an established and well-researched technology. Use a lead acid battery the right way and you’ll find it offers low self-discharge rates, low maintenance and high cycle rates. All of which means flexibility, low cost and reliability.

While lithium is lighter and recharges faster, it is also more expensive and subject to both regulatory and transportation controls. From a manufacturer’s point of view it requires more investment. Considerations such as cool storage, a protection circuit and a more comprehensive testing process must be taken into account.

RENEWABLE ENERGY APPLICATIONS KEY TO PROGRESS

There are pros and cons to all chemistries, but in a world that seems focused on progress, and favouring the new over the proven, it’s refreshing to see a company come out with a lead acid battery that embodies all of the positives at a scale that can be used in agricultural and renewable energy applications.

Lead acid batteries like these will allow users to entirely rely on renewable energy resources. Keep an eye on the SEC website, we’ll be launching a similar model to the Ultraflex later this year. These types of batteries vastly reduce the diesel and grid power usage in a variety of different applications. Meaning both environmental and long term expense benefits for your operation.

INDUSTRY SENTIMENTS SHARED

In a quote featured in Best Mag, the CEO of Ecoult, John Wood reflects exactly our sentiments on lead acid. “Lead acid chemistry really is the giant hiding in plain sight in the search for energy storage resources to support the integration of higher proportions of renewables in a whole of system approach.”

Heston Harper, CEO of SEC battery says he’s right;

“While lithium–ion has taken the spotlight in recent times, it’s important we don’t forget the benefits of lead acid. When it comes to scaling up the use of industrial batteries in renewable energy applications. It is yet to be beaten from a value perspective.”

SEC has a wide range of options. So if you wish to discover more about the right technology for your application, feel free to have a chat with one of our engineers. They can help you decide the chemistry that will best suit your needs and provide the long-term value we’re famous for.