Technology is catching up

[MagnetJuice]

I know that the mining of lithium is expensive and the lithium mines are not limitless.

But… this is good news for now.

MIT researches say; “new approach could boost energy capacity of lithium batteries”

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190328112544.htm

[SparWeb]

Thanks MJ

Holy smoke:  366 Wh per kilogram!
Isn't the typical density for a LI cell about 100-150 Wh/kg?

[MagnetJuice]

Yes, that's quite an increase in capacity by just changing the materials for the battery cathode.

Furthermore, they said that it could be possible to get 400 watt-hours per kilogram. That's impressive.

I know that LI batteries are tricky to charge. Do they have smart charge controllers that can work with wind and solar installations?

[SparWeb]

Do they have smart charge controllers that can work with wind and solar installations?

Few.  They do exist, but...  Rare and expensive.  I think Xantrex (schneider) has a compatible charge controller.  I'm not getting it from google today.
Here's a big lithium cell marketed to RE applications:
https://discoverbattery.com/product-search/view/44-24-2800
https://www.wholesalesolar.com/1898866/discover-battery/battery-banks/discover-battery-520ah-48vdc-w-xanbus-26-400-wh-4-lithium-battery-bank

The common types of charge controllers for Lead batteries won't work at all on lithium cells. 
The behaviour is so different that I don't think changing a few settings is enough. 
Lead acid batteries get balanced by equalizing at high-voltage.  Perfect for stationary systems that get used only partially per cycle, and the only way you can get away with not being guaranteed a full recharge every cycle, but sometimes have an excess of energy source.
Lithiums get balanced by being drained flat, trickling at the bottom, before a recharge back to full.  Perfect for mobile systems that can be run flat often, and are guaranteed a complete charge after that drain cycle.

Even if you had a charge controller that could do all the stuff for lithium batteries, you'd also need an inverter that can be configured to safely use it too.
I don't see much overlap between the EV world and the RE world in this regard.

Here's a vehicle application for Lithium cells:  http://www.truebluepowerusa.com/aviation-products/advanced-lithium-ion-batteries/tb44/
Note the energy density: 52 Wh/kg!
They were obviously conservative in their packaging of the cells!

[Bruce S]

Interesting reading on that  battery pack, but  I think I'll wait until the cost/Kg comes down for those.
I can get NiCd/ NiMh's that have a known constant with a cost I can live with while I continue to learn the nuances of Li-based batteries.
I'm still testing the limits of my chargers along with usages.
I would hate to pay full price to replace the recycled Li based ones.

Cheers
Bruce S

[XeonPony]

Do they have smart charge controllers that can work with wind and solar installations?

Few.  They do exist, but...  Rare and expensive.  I think Xantrex (schneider) has a compatible charge controller.  I'm not getting it from google today.
Here's a big lithium cell marketed to RE applications:
https://discoverbattery.com/product-search/view/44-24-2800
https://www.wholesalesolar.com/1898866/discover-battery/battery-banks/discover-battery-520ah-48vdc-w-xanbus-26-400-wh-4-lithium-battery-bank

The common types of charge controllers for Lead batteries won't work at all on lithium cells. 
The behaviour is so different that I don't think changing a few settings is enough. 
Lead acid batteries get balanced by equalizing at high-voltage.  Perfect for stationary systems that get used only partially per cycle, and the only way you can get away with not being guaranteed a full recharge every cycle, but sometimes have an excess of energy source.
Lithiums get balanced by being drained flat, trickling at the bottom, before a recharge back to full.  Perfect for mobile systems that can be run flat often, and are guaranteed a complete charge after that drain cycle.

Even if you had a charge controller that could do all the stuff for lithium batteries, you'd also need an inverter that can be configured to safely use it too.
I don't see much overlap between the EV world and the RE world in this regard.

Here's a vehicle application for Lithium cells:  http://www.truebluepowerusa.com/aviation-products/advanced-lithium-ion-batteries/tb44/
Note the energy density: 52 Wh/kg!
They were obviously conservative in their packaging of the cells!

You can use a conventional charge controller with addition of a BMS system

So you set the charge controller to the general voltage specs and the BMS takes care of the balancing and protections.

Lithium's really aren't that fragile or complex, I have charged more then a few with my bench power suply when they've gotten too low and the protection circuit locks them out.

[DualFuel]

I charge 18650 Li-ion cells with a 12v battery and a pwm motor controller. I try to keep the cells in series (3.7+3.7+3.7). If I set the pulse for 25 % or less it takes the cells several hours to charge coolly.

[kenl]

There's a lot of charge controllers the handle lithium now including a lot of Chinese manufactures.

https://www.renogy.com/rover-li-40-amp-mppt-solar-charge-controller/

pair the above with a one of these http://chargery.com/BMS16.asp and your good to go.