• Dagong ESS

Why LFP Batteries Dominate Energy Storage While LMR Remains in Development

What is LFP and LMR Battery?

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR) batteries are both advanced lithium-ion technologies, but they stand at different stages of development. LFP batteries use an olivine crystal structure with iron and phosphate, offering excellent safety and long cycle life. In contrast, LMR batteries rely on manganese-rich layered oxides with small amounts of nickel and cobalt, aiming for high capacity and lower material cost.

Currently, LFP is widely deployed in residential, commercial, and utility-scale energy storage systems, while LMR remains in the laboratory and early pilot projects due to technical challenges.

Types of LFP and LMR Batteries

• LFP Batteries

Prismatic Cells: Common in commercial and grid-scale ESS.

Cylindrical Cells: Used in consumer electronics and smaller EVs.

Modular Systems: From 5kWh wall-mounted units to 372kWh liquid-cooled systems.

• LMR Batteries

Standard High-Manganese Oxides: Designed for high theoretical capacity (>250 mAh/g).

Modified LMR: Improved with coatings or doping to address voltage fade.

LMR-Solid-State Hybrids: A potential future route combining LMR cathodes with solid electrolytes.

Features of LFP vs LMR

• LFP Batteries

Safety: Excellent thermal stability.

Cycle Life: Up to 10,000 cycles, exceeding 15 years in service.

Cost: Affordable due to abundant iron and phosphate resources.

Limitation: Lower energy density compared with NMC or potential LMR.

• LMR Batteries

High Energy Density: Theoretical volumetric energy >900 Wh/L.

Resource Advantage: Manganese is cheap and abundant.

Challenges: Voltage fade, shorter cycle stability, and lack of industrial maturity.

Applications of LFP and LMR Batteries

• LFP Applications
  LFP batteries dominate the energy storage sector. For instance, 215kWh air-cooled ESS and 372kWh liquid-cooled ESS systems are widely adopted in industrial microgrids. Containerized solutions, such as 3.35MWh liquid-cooled systems, support large-scale renewable integration. In residential markets, 5kWh–80kWh stackable systems are popular for solar self-consumption.

• LMR Applications
  LMR batteries remain experimental. Their main potential lies in next-generation EV batteries with higher driving ranges, and eventually in stationary storage once stability issues are resolved.

Price of LFP and LMR Batteries

The cost of energy storage systems for renewable energy integration depends on several factors, including system capacity, storage duration, battery type, control software, installation conditions, and auxiliary equipment.

Pricing is usually quoted under international trade terms such as EXW, FOB, or CIF, depending on project location and logistics preferences. For a tailored quotation based on your specific project needs, it's best to consult directly with the supplier.

How to Select LFP or LMR for Your Project?

For proven, safe, and long-lasting systems → LFP is the clear choice, covering residential to grid-scale solutions.

For high energy density goals → LMR may be considered in pilot programs or research-based projects, but it is not yet ready for commercial rollout.

For industrial storage projects → Systems like 241kWh air-cooled or 372kWh liquid-cooled LFP ESS are reliable and scalable options.

How Long Does LFP and LMR Last?

LFP: 10–15 years with thousands of charge/discharge cycles. Industrial LFP systems such as 215kWh or 372kWh models are engineered for over 8,000 cycles.

LMR: Still under development, currently suffering from voltage decay after several hundred cycles in lab tests. Future improvements may extend its service life.

The Supplier of LFP and LMR Batteries

Global supply chains for LFP are mature, with large-scale production from companies in China and worldwide. For example, system providers like Dagong ESS offer modular LFP energy storage from 5kWh household units to 5MWh containerized solutions.

LMR batteries, however, are still mostly available through research institutions and pilot projects, with no large-scale commercial supplier yet.

If you are interested in advanced energy storage systems such as 215kWh air-cooled or 372kWh liquid-cooled ESS, please contact Dagong ESS:
Email: sales@dagongess.com
Website: www.dagongess.com