Batteries designed to be repaired
Lithium batteries are increasingly present on boats. Being able to use them over the long term is an increasingly important issue. The recycling and end-of-life of batteries is a development subject that goes beyond boating, but is of primary interest to it. To limit their impact by extending their life span as much as possible, the British company Aceleron has designed repairable Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, called Essential, which earned it a prize at the DAME Award, during METS Trade 2022. Jury chairman Andre Hoek explains: "We highlight Aceleron's efforts to break an unwelcome norm in modern battery technology that induces the entire product to be thrown away when only one component is broken."
A configuration designed for repair
In order to be able to repair its Essential batteries, Aceleron has designed an adapted geometry. The upper part, which integrates the Battery Management System or BMS, can be easily disassembled, allowing the cells to be removed. The cells can then be replaced individually, avoiding throwing away the battery when only one cell is defective.
The BMS and controls are easily accessible and can be updated regularly to extend the life of the battery.
The basic battery, weighing 15 kg, is available in 12V, 24V or 48V. Its design is compact and the handle makes it easy to carry.
Aceleron guarantees the product for 5,000 cycles and claims that the percentage of CO2 emissions in the life of the battery is 30% lower than conventional batteries.
The price of the battery, not yet distributed, is not yet public.
