The first SimpliPhi Power Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries in the UK have just been installed in a house in Winchester by Hampshire-based distributor Streamline Power. LiFePO4 batteries are chemically more stable than other Lithium battery technologies and are therefore perceived to be safer.
SimpliPhi batteries are a drop-in replacement for lead acid batteries because battery management and safety disconnects are integral to each battery …there’s no control wiring required or software integration. Simple integration and a wide operating temperature range make these batteries ideal for off-grid solar and diesel-hybrid systems.
In this installation two 3.4kWh batteries are charged by a photovoltaic array on the roof.
Victron Energy/SimpliPhi Compatibility
24V and 48V LiFePO batteries from SimpliPhi are compatible with all Victron Energy’s 24V and 48V Multis, Quattros, and also all Blue Solar VE.Can, VE.Direct Solar chargers, and BMV Battery Monitors. We pride ourselves on our continual research and development which ensures that we maintain our leading position at the cutting edge of remote power technology. Please refer to our Victron live page for an integration guide.
All lithium batteries are efficient with low self discharge rates and can be cycled many thousands of times to a low state of charge. In practice these factors add up to a probable service life of around 10 years.
The owner of the new equipment is very pleased with both the unobtrusive installation and its performance.
Victron MultiPlus paired with 48V LiFePO4 battery bank
Streamline Power’s Managing Director Dennis Garrison has been looking at the Winchester installation’s performance log (remote monitoring of Victron installations is available on the web, by the way, by using VRM Portal) and is pleased with the result. Plenty of energy is being pulled from the panels to be stored in the batteries with just 10% of the household power requirement being supplied by the grid.
LiFePO4 batteries are environmentally benign – when they get to the end of their long life their non-toxic chemistry won’t harm the planet – even more appropriate for households interested in a sustainable energy ethos.
Streamline Power can be contacted via their website.
