Chinese battery makers are among those leading a “renaissance” in lead-acid battery science, according to a technical workshop organized by the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) and Narada Power Source in Hangzhou, Eastern China.
The workshop was attended by ALABC members, including battery manufacturers and suppliers, from China, Europe and North America, as well as guests from the Chinese Battery Industry Association (CBIA) and leading Chinese universities.
There are now several Chinese companies signed up as full members of the research consortium, which celebrates 25 years this year in progressing advanced lead-acid technology. These include Camel Group, Chaowei Power, Shandong Jinkeli Power Sources, Shandong Sacred Sun Power Sources, Shuangdeng Group (China Shoto), TiannengPower and Zhejiang NaradaPower Source.
Boris Monahov, program director of ALABC, said, “There is no doubt about whether the Chinese battery industry is committed to lead batteries. Lead-acid technology is the beating heart of utility and renewable electrical energy storage, telecommunications, motive power and remote power supply in China. Furthermore, it’s clear that the industry is committed to improving the environmental impact batteries through much improved recycling.”
The Chinese battery manufacturers in ALABC cover all sectors in China, from grid scale storage projects championed by companies like Narada, Sacred Sun and China Shoto, to the use of lead carbon technology by companies like Chaowei and Tianneng, possibly the two biggest battery makers in the world for e-bikes, low speed electric vehicles, energy storage and UPS.
Alistair Davidson, part of the International Lead Association, which manages the ALABC, said, “The Chinese battery industry fully appreciates that there will be many forms of e mobility – from low speed vehicles to e bikes and lead acid is a cost-effective power source and will remain so for many years to come.
“Chinese lead battery makers are embracing every aspect of basic research the consortium can offer and have put in place strong research teams. They also understand the value of ALABC’s pre-competitive collaborative research, which has propelled the industry forward in the last 25 years.”
