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THE CENTER OF LITHIUM-ION

Energy

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Summary

Energy is the capacity to do work. Energy can either be generated or consumed. A battery uses chemical reactions to generate an electric current used to store energy and energize devices. There are many kinds of energy and all kinds are convertible with each other. This is due to the first law of thermodynamics (the conservation of energy) that states matter can neither be created nor destroyed, only changed.

Watt-hour (Wh)

The SI unit of energy is the joule (J). However, we change the frame of reference with lithium-ion batteries and convert energy to watt-hours (Wh). To convert between the two energy types, use the following formula:

  • 1 watt-hour = 3600 joules (3.600 x 103 J)

Battery Energy Calculator

While energy can not be directly measured, we can calculate it with power and time.

Formula

battery-energy-formula

Energy equals Power multiplied by time.

Examples

  • 100 watts for 10 hours is 1000 watt-hours.
  • An 18650 battery rated at 50 watts, working for 3 hours continuously generates 150 watt-hours (Wh) of energy.
  • A battery pack rated at 500 watts, working for 2 hours generates 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy.
  • A power-wall rated at 5000 watts (5 kilowatts), operating for 1 hour generates 5 kilowatt-hours (5kWh) of energy.
  • A robotic arm rated at 100 watts, working for 10 hours continuously uses 1 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy.

Electrochemical

Batteries are electrochemical – they convert chemical to electric energy. Reactions in cell electrolyte cause chemical energy to flow. The chemical energy converts to electric potential energy as it travels out of the cell through wiring. Once reaching a circuit like a battery management system, the energy converts from electrical potential energy to electrical energy.

Confusions

Energy vs. Power

Energy is watt-hours and describes rate. Power is watts and describes total quantity. One tip when you want to know if something is in terms of electrical energy, check if it is stated in hours. Electrical engineers may use watt-hours to determine the total energy a battery pack can store while using watts to determine how much power it can deliver at any given moment. Consumer electronics are typically rated in power (watts). Energy generated can be stored whereas power cannot.

Energy vs. Electricity

Electricity is a separate phenomenon occurring when a positive or negative charge is created (by the force of an electromagnetic field). We use the phenomenon of electricity to energize our devices and charge cells. Electricity generation is the conversion of energy, like heat or nuclear, into electrical energy. All electricity is energy, but not all energy is electricity.

Related

Author: Voltaplex Team

Voltaplex Energy manufactures and distributes cutting-edge lithium-ion cells and battery packs. We enable the easiest integration of new and existing devices with low-cost lithium-ion technology.

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