Battery knowledge · Capacity, energy, power and ratings

Nominal voltage

A representative average voltage of a cell over a full discharge, such as 3.6–3.7 V for an oxide/graphite cell or about 3.2 V for LFP/graphite. Multiplied by capacity, it gives nominal energy.

Unit
V

Example

Voltage under load

5 A through 20 mΩ gives 0.1 V ohmic drop.

Chosen OCV curve; no chemistry calibration, hysteresis or voltage cutoff.

Explore the graph

Discharge current creates an ohmic drop below open-circuit voltage.

Illustrative OCV and loaded voltage
Illustrative OCV and loaded voltageSOC (%) versus Voltage (V). Open circuit; Under load. Interpretation follows the graphs.1.802.42253.05503.67754.3100SOC (%)Voltage (V)
Open circuitUnder load (dashed)

5 A through 20 mΩ gives 0.1 V ohmic drop.

V_terminal = OCV − I_discharge R

Illustrative model. Chosen OCV curve; no chemistry calibration, hysteresis or voltage cutoff.

Use in Lemonergy

Lemonergy Core equation

Estimate nominal energy

Lemonergy Core evaluates this relation.

Equation or tool to use

  1. nominal_energy_wh

    Core equation

    Inputs & settings
    • Capacity (Ah)
    • Nominal voltage (V)

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

  1. Open the lesson and inspect the equation.
  2. Change one input while holding the others fixed.

Example. A 5 Ah cell rated 3.6 V has 18 Wh nominal energy. Ten identical cells contain 180 Wh nominally.

Observe. Compare the result with the equation and units.

This is a rating estimate, not integrated delivered terminal energy.

Open the worked lesson →

Learn it in Lesson 2 · Capacity and C-rate →

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.