Course: Battery Basics & Safety

About the Course

Batteries aren’t “containers of electricity.” They’re compact chemical engines that convert stored chemical energy into usable electrical power, on demand.

In this course, you’ll build a clear mental model of what’s happening inside a cell (electrons outside, ions inside), then compare the most common rechargeable battery families and why they’re chosen for different jobs. Finally, you’ll learn some practical safety and environmental habits so you can work more confidently around stored energy in the real world.

At a Glance:

• Level: Beginner
• Estimated time: ~3 hours
• Who it’s for: Newcomers to the battery sector (technicians, operators, engineers, sales professionals, and others needing a solid foundation).
• Assessment: Final quiz (20 multiple choice questions)
• Certificate criteria: Pass with 75%+

What you’ll learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain how batteries store and release energy through electrochemical (redox) processes.
• Identify core battery cell components (anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator) and describe what each one does.
• Describe how electrons and ions move during charging vs. discharging.
• Compare lead-acid, NiMH, and lithium-ion batteries by key performance tradeoffs and typical use cases.
• Apply practical battery safety habits for handling, charging, and storage.
• Explain best-practice steps for recycling/disposal and why improper disposal creates environmental and safety risks.

Skills you’ll gain

• Battery fundamentals (voltage, charge flow, redox basics)
• Cell component literacy (separator/electrolyte/current collector roles)
• Chemistry comparison framework (choosing the right battery for the job)
• Safe handling, storage, and escalation habits

Course syllabus

Module 0: Course Introduction & Orientation (10 min)

Module 1: How Batteries Work (35 min)

• What is a battery? From potential to power
• Anatomy of a battery cell (anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator)
• Oxidation & reduction (redox) and the OIL RIG memory aid
• Charging vs. discharging: electrons outside, ions inside

Module 2: Comparing Rechargeable Battery Types (30 min)

• Battery chemistries and performance tradeoffs
• Lead-acid (the workhorse)
• NiMH (the everyday powerhouse)
• Lithium-ion (the industry standard)
• At-a-glance comparison: energy, cost, lifespan, uses

Module 3: Practicing Battery Safety (30 min)

• Core principles of battery safety
• Handling & use best practices (inspection, correct chargers, temperature)
• Storage guidelines (cool, dry, non-conductive)
• Battery lifecycle, disposal, and recycling (“closing the loop”)

Final Assessment (1 hour)

• Final quiz: 20 multiple-choice questions
• Passing score: 75%+

Course format and learning supports

This online learning experience provides you with interactive content, videos, readings, a downloadable learning guide, non-graded practice questions and a graded final assessment to test your understanding of the material covered in this course.

• Short, focused lessons with clear mental models (designed to avoid “heavy math”).
• Practical memory aids and checklists you can reuse on the job, including:
  • OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain)
  • A 30-second “pre-flight” check: Look, Label, Location, Leads
  • Storage method: C-A-L-M (Cool, Airy, Labeled, Metal-free)

Click HERE to go back to the main Battery Academy page on NENY's website.