Lowtech Graph lists low-tech options for every need of a home. Here you can compare them, find tutorials to build them, and link them together into a circular system. Why low-tech?
Lithium (LiFePO4) battery bank with integrated BMS
Passive
One of 3 ways to meet this need. Cost, carbon, footprint and rankings are relative to other solutions for the same need, not absolute.
A lithium iron phosphate battery bank with built-in electronics that protect each cell. It can be emptied almost fully and lasts thousands of cycles, several times the useful storage and life of lead-acid batteries in the same space. But the sealed electronics cannot be repaired at home.
10-15+ years, rated for 3,000-6,000 cycles at 80-100% depth of discharge
Embodied carbon
Medium
Space / material use
Low
Output timing
Continuous process
Skill to repair
Specialist
Regulation (FR example)
Fixed electrical installations must meet NF C 15-100, and a Consuel certificate is required before a new connection is energised. Grid-connected generation requires an Enedis connection agreement.
Levels are relative to the other options for this need, not absolute. Fewer dots is lighter.
Lithium (LiFePO4) battery bank with integrated BMS (This page) Can I use it? Works in a flat · No rebuilding needed What does it cost me? Upfront cost: High · Skill to build: Intermediate · Upkeep: Light · Change to daily life: None · Works without the grid: Yes Choose it if you want storage you can empty almost fully, lasting thousands of cycles in little space.
Battery bank (low-voltage DC) Can I use it? Works in a flat · No rebuilding needed What does it cost me? Upfront cost: High · Skill to build: Intermediate · Upkeep: Regular · Change to daily life: Occasional · Works without the grid: Yes Choose it if you want proven, affordable storage for the power you make.
Small-scale compressed-air energy storage (CAES) Can I use it? Works in a flat · No rebuilding needed What does it cost me? Upfront cost: Medium · Skill to build: Intermediate · Upkeep: Regular · Change to daily life: Occasional · Works without the grid: Yes Choose it if you want storage without batteries, with parts you can repair.
Sources
Battery industry comparison sites (RELiON, SolaxPower, Anern)
Limitations of this page
We don’t list sizing or quantities, as the yield of each technique depends on the quality of its build. The catalogue compares options but doesn’t dimension them. Regulatory notes are indicative, with a French example, and need to be confirmed locally.