02 Jul
Posted By
Aziz
532 View(s)
How Lithium Batteries Increase Efficiency
Lithium batteries play an important role in storing energy. They offer numerous benefits that can streamline operations and make battery systems more efficient. Warehouses also need to maximize space and storage to be used most efficiently on site. But manufacturers also face increasing pressure to make their supply chains more sustainable. One way to reduce the carbon footprint of these tanks is to replace lead-acid batteries with reliable and long-lasting lithium batteries. We've outlined several ways lithium batteries can reduce labor costs and benefit warehouse operations, particularly material handling and floor maintenance. Lithium batteries are easily compatible with efficient, automated guided vehicles commonly found in warehouses, are safer, last longer and reduce the space required for storage.
Lithium batteries are compatible with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and can reduce labor costs.
It minimizes costs by providing the safest option for AGVs and users.
Lithium batteries are a more cost-effective option.
Lithium batteries take up less space and can be stored/used at lower temperatures.
Lithium Batteries Compatible with Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs).
Full staffing at these facilities can be difficult as companies now focus their operations on regional centers rather than central warehouses. A warehouse requires a lot of processing to be fully operational, so companies have started to reduce labor costs by relying more on AGVs. Lithium batteries are well suited for use in AGVs due to their long battery life, fast charging capabilities and minimal maintenance requirement.
By investing in long-life lithium batteries to power AGVs, labor costs can be reduced significantly. Given that most of the handling in a warehouse can be done by AGVs, using these machines for mundane work eliminates the need to waste time and resources and train workers. To get the most out of the move to AGVs, warehouse operators must equip them with the most durable, reliable lithium batteries to avoid frequent replacement costs and minimize charge and recharge times.
As operations expand faster than staff at many warehouses across the country, many warehouses also experience employee turnover and are understaffed as a result. To overcome the challenges of not having enough workers, warehouses can rely on AGVs to do much of the same work at a lower cost. A one-time investment in a lithium battery with a 10-year warranty and fast charge times can maximize tank capacity and minimize inefficiencies caused by maintenance, frequent recharging or under-running the field.
Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries Minimize Costs
Workers are physically safer when using lithium batteries compared to lead acid batteries. Less maintenance is required, minimizing exposure to hazardous situations for workers. When using these batteries, workers are much more protected, experience fewer work-related injuries, and potentially have less costly workers' compensation claims. Flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries emit a harmful gas when charging and should be stored in a ventilated battery box. FLA batteries also contain liquid, so they should be stored upright. These conditions increase the likelihood of users encountering fumes, spills and, in the most serious cases, fire which may increase repairs.
Energy storage systems such as lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries offer the safest lithium chemistry on the market. LFP batteries are not cobalt based and therefore have superior chemistry due to the strong covalent bond. As a result, LFP batteries are not prone to thermal runaway or fire and do not require additional cooling systems as most lithium cobalt-based batteries do.
Lithium Batteries Are the More Cost-Effective Option
Lithium batteries offer up to 10 times the battery life of lead acid batteries, significantly reducing replacement costs over time. In addition, their performance does not decrease with use. Lithium batteries produce the same power when fully charged when charged to 20 percent. By comparison, lead acid batteries experience power that decreases with use. Lead-acid batteries can also only be discharged to 50 percent, meaning users cannot take full advantage of the battery's nameplate or rated capacity. Lithium batteries can be discharged far beyond this, allowing the tanks to maximize the full capacity of the battery for each charge/discharge cycle. Many warehouses and distribution centers operate 24 hours a day and constantly rely on batteries, so battery replacements become a significant cost. Larger capacity and shorter charging times can significantly affect how high this cost is. Lithium batteries require much less maintenance and replacement costs due to their durability. Lithium battery users will be able to use more productivity with fast charging for continuous power during use and overall lower cost compared to lead acid batteries.
Lithium Batteries Take Up Less Space and Can Be Stored and Used at Lower Temperatures
Energy storage with batteries is an essential part of most various operations. Lead-acid batteries wear out quickly, especially after several years of use. Spare batteries should be readily available during their shift so workers can install them immediately. As a result, these spare batteries often occupy an entire storage room in a warehouse. The long lifespan of lithium batteries means fewer spare batteries need to be kept in storage, so less storage space is required. Lithium batteries are also more energy-intensive and therefore take up less space per kilowatt-hour than lead-acid batteries. This benefits warehouses because this space can instead be used for product storage, increasing warehouse productivity and increasing profits. Maximizing designated storage for products rather than batteries is the most efficient use of space in warehouses.
Leave a Comment