State of Health (SoH)
State of Health (SoH) refers to the overall condition and performance capability of a battery relative to its original specifications and design parameters. It provides insight into the health, degradation, and remaining useful life of a battery over time. SoH is typically expressed as a percentage, with 100% indicating that the battery is operating at its full capacity and performance, while lower percentages indicate degradation or loss of capacity.
Monitoring the state of health is essential for assessing the long-term reliability and usability of a battery in various applications. It helps users determine when a battery may need maintenance, replacement, or optimization to maintain desired performance levels.
Several factors influence the state of health of a battery, including:
Capacity Degradation: Over time, batteries may lose their ability to store and deliver energy efficiently due to chemical changes, cycling, aging, and environmental factors. Capacity degradation is a common indicator of declining battery health.
Internal Resistance: As batteries degrade, their internal resistance may increase, leading to reduced efficiency, slower charging/discharging rates, and higher heat generation during operation.
Cycle Life: The number of charge-discharge cycles a battery can undergo before reaching the end of its usable life is an important factor in determining its state of health. Higher cycle life indicates better battery health and longevity.
Calendar Aging: Even when not in use, batteries undergo aging over time due to chemical reactions and environmental conditions, affecting their performance and capacity.
Environmental Factors: Temperature, humidity, and operating conditions can impact battery health and longevity. Extreme temperatures, high humidity, and exposure to harsh environments can accelerate degradation and reduce SoH.
Monitoring and maintaining the state of health of batteries is critical for optimizing their performance, extending their lifespan, and ensuring reliable operation in various applications, including electric vehicles, energy storage systems, backup power solutions, and portable electronics. Advanced diagnostic techniques, battery management systems, and predictive maintenance strategies are used to assess and manage SoH in real-time, enabling proactive maintenance and optimization to maximize battery lifespan and performance.