Battery knowledge · Units and electrical basics

Joule

The SI unit of energy; one watt for one second. Battery energy is almost always quoted in watt-hours instead, and 1 Wh equals 3600 J. [1]

Abbreviation
J
Unit
J

Example

From charge to energy

5 Ah × 12 V = 60 Wh nominal energy.

Specific energy divides energy by mass; energy density divides it by volume.

Explore the graph

Voltage connects capacity in ampere-hours to nominal energy in watt-hours.

Nominal energy versus capacity
Nominal energy versus capacityCapacity (Ah) versus Energy (Wh). 12 V rating. Interpretation follows the graphs.00605120101801524020Capacity (Ah)Energy (Wh)
12 V rating

5 Ah × 12 V = 60 Wh nominal energy.

E_nominal = Q_nominal V_nominal; actual energy = ∫ VI dt

Illustrative model. Specific energy divides energy by mass; energy density divides it by volume.

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

Technical references

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

    Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · 2026

    Technical reference · Definitions of SI units and coherent derived units; 2026 revision.