Battery knowledge · Capacity, energy, power and ratings

Energy efficiency

Energy out divided by energy in over a full cycle. It is lower than coulombic efficiency because the charge voltage sits above the discharge voltage; cells reach 95–98 %, and a full storage system 85–92 % after power electronics and cooling.

Also called
round-trip efficiency
Unit
%

Example

Charge efficiency versus energy efficiency

99% × 92% = 91.08% energy efficiency.

Matched cycle and measurement boundaries; auxiliary loads omitted.

Explore the graph

Returning most of the charge does not return the same fraction of energy.

Recovered energy
Recovered energyEnergy put in (Wh) versus Energy recovered (Wh). Ideal 100%; Selected efficiencies. Interpretation follows the graphs.00252550507575100100Energy put in (Wh)Energy recovered (Wh)
Ideal 100%Selected efficiencies (dashed)

99% × 92% = 91.08% energy efficiency.

η_energy = η_charge × V̄_discharge / V̄_charge

Illustrative model. Matched cycle and measurement boundaries; auxiliary loads omitted.

Use in Lemonergy

Lemonergy Studio blocks

Compare grid and battery energy

Separate energy and loss signals make efficiency visible.

Blocks to use

  1. Regulated CC/CV charger

    Regulates current and voltage

    Inputs & settings
    • currentA
    • voltageV
    • cutoffCurrentA / cutoffHoldS
    • Electrical ports p and n
  2. Battery with SOC-dependent OCV

    Stores charge and supplies terminal voltage

    Inputs & settings
    • capacityAh
    • initialSoc
    • emptyVoltageV / fullVoltageV
    • resistanceOhm
    • Electrical ports p and n

This overview identifies the components to use. Follow the example in Lemonergy for their connections and settings.

  1. Keep battery settings fixed.
  2. Change converter efficiency.

Example. 7 kW battery-side power at 95% efficiency requires about 7.37 kW grid power and produces about 0.37 kW converter loss.

Observe. Battery I²R loss differs from converter loss.

A loss signal is not a predicted temperature. This network takes external temperature.

Open the Studio example →

References & further reading

Further reading on this topic

These sources provide broader context; they are not presented as citations for every statement in this entry.

  1. The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition

    Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · 2026

    Topic background · Definitions of SI units and coherent derived units; 2026 revision.

  2. Battery Test Manual For Electric Vehicles, Revision 3

    Jon P. Christopherson · Idaho National Laboratory · 2015

    Topic background · Performance characterization, pulse resistance/power, life testing and reference performance tests; historical 2015 edition.