The Battery Cell – What is a Battery?
Colloquial definition of a Battery
A battery is the smallest electrochemical unit that is releasing electric current to power applications. In a commercial battery, usually several smaller electrochemical cells are connected together. For example, a 12-volt lead-acid battery contains six single cells. However, a single cell can also function as an independent battery. In this case the term cell and the term battery can be used synonymously. How a cell is built is explained here >>
An electric cell is an electrochemical energy storage device and energy converter in the same time. During discharge, stored chemical energy is converted into electrical energy by a electrochemical redox reaction. This can be used by an electrical consumer (e.g. electric vehicle) independent of the power utility supply system. Alternatively, it can also be used by consumers that are within the power grid (e.g. storing power from solar-panels) thus ensuring that the solar power is stored in the most beneficial way.
An electric cell is an electrochemical energy storage device and energy converter
There are primary and secondary batteries. We want secondary batteries!
A distinction is made between primary (non-rechargeable) batteries (see primary batteries) and secondary (rechargeable) batteries (see secondary element and secondary battery). Often primary and secondary batteries are simply called batteries because the type of battery indicates whether it is a primary or secondary battery. For example, currently all commercially available batteries in electric cars are secondary batteries, so it is sufficient to refer to them as batteries. Or in other word; the batteries that you waste after a short time are primary batteries, the ones which last for multiple years are secondary batteries.
In terms of the energy transition, renewable energy, clean energy only secondary-rechargeable batteries are important. Primary batteries have a bad CO2 footprint as the used multiple times!