COURS ACCUMULATTEURS BATTERIES 4

This document presents an educational module on electrochemical energy storage systems—primary cells, accumulators, and batteries—with specific emphasis on applications in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy. The course aims to provide students with fundamental concepts of electricity storage in chemical form and an understanding of the main electrochemical storage technologies used in PV systems. After introducing the motivation for storage in both isolated and grid-connected installations, the module reviews the basic principles of direct current electricity, including circuits, generators, conductors, receivers, voltage, current, resistance, power, Ohm’s law, and electrical energy. It then develops core electrochemistry concepts such as redox reactions, electrode processes at the anode and cathode, the role of electrolytes and separators, and the operating principles of electrochemical generators and electrolysis. The document outlines the historical evolution of batteries from early galvanic cells to modern lithium-based systems, and describes the characteristics, performance, and typical applications of lead-acid, nickel-based, and lithium batteries. Operational aspects such as charge–discharge behavior, nominal voltage, and phenomena like memory effect in Ni-MH batteries are also discussed. The module further covers advanced storage technologies (supercapacitors, flywheels, metal–air systems, redox systems, compressed air), solar batteries, and battery recycling, complemented by directed studies and practical laboratory work.