Batteries

As many small-scale methods of electricity generation are available only intermittently, some form of electricity storage or battery is needed if people want to have electricity available at all times. There are a wide range of batteries available, and the aim of this Technical Brief is to give an introduction to the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of batteries. The central point is that there is no such thing as a universal battery; a single type of battery cannot cover all applications. You can find a more in-depth description of how batteries work, the terms and definitions used to specify rechargeable batteries, and details about charging battery systems in Chapter 7 of Rural Lighting, ITDG Publishing.