[RE-wrenches] Aquion batteries - batteries in general

[Bill Hennessy]

Greg--I've attached a link to East Penn Manufacturing (aka Deka or MK Batteries) recycling brochure. They have the largest battery plant in the world and recycle 200 million pounds of lead and 11 million pounds of plastic a year in their battery production. We live near them and we're in an area littered with superfund sites, but their commitment to the environment is impressive. Maybe cuz they're privately held. I don't work for them or benefit financially from them.
http://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/Recycling-Brochure-0103.pdf
That said, Aquion is producing a battery without using lead. The price tag is much higher and the batteries come with only a two-year warranty. I haven't seen anything on their site as to how one could tell if a battery is underperforming. Our systems are almost always grid-tie with battery backup, so reduced maintenance and long shelf life are the drivers--agm or gel.
With their ability to function with a partial state of charge, Aquions would do well in a distributed generation scenario and provide great support  for frequency and load managing. Imagine the net metering possibilities.
 Bill Hennessy
Berks Solar, LLC
371 Centennial Rd
Mertztown, PA 19539

o 610 682 4300
c 484 560 4666
NABCEP certified installer
PA contractor #44411
www.berkssolar.com
      From: Greg <greg at remotepowerinc.com>
 To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
 Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 1:56 PM
 Subject: [RE-wrenches] Aquion batteries - batteries in general
   
Marco and all wrenches,

Thanks for the cost /benefit comparison on batteries.  We need batteries 
that won't freeze easily.  Even if the cost was the same we'd need to 
know more about the Aquions before we could risk installing them in the 
North.

I need a fact check from someone on Lead Acids:  Years ago I'd heard 
that lead acid batts sold in the US were built from 90+% recycled 
materials.  Supposedly there was somewhere in California that put them 
in a big mixer and busted them up.  Plastic floated to the top and was 
recycled, lead went to the bottom, also recycled. Electrolyte was also 
at least partially recycled.  If this is true it would make the lead 
acids relatively benign since no new smelting would be needed.  Any 
recent info/links on lead acid battery recycling in the US would be 
greatly appreciated

I like lead acids.  There's a little booklet from New England Solar 
Electric called "BATTERY BOOK FOR YOUR PV HOME" that I give away with 
each set of batteries we sell.  It doesn't completely cure premature 
battery death from neglect but I think it helps a lot. They're 
inexpensive and if you buy them by the dozen they'll cut you a deal on 
them.

Keep using your super powers for good!

Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.
NABCEP Solar Installation Professional
Alaska #00106064 Journeyman Electrician
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