Understanding Chemical Potential (Li-ion)

Can anyone help me to understand what the "Chemical Potential" is? I can see that in batteries the electrical energy is stored as "chemical potential", according to [this](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369702115003181):



> 
> Li-ion batteries, Na-ion batteries, and Mg-ion batteries, reversibly
> convert between electrical and chemical energy via redox reactions,
> thus storing the energy as chemical potential in their electrodes.
> 
> 
> 


So what is chemical potential? According to Wikipedia, it is defined as:



> 
> In thermodynamics, chemical potential, also known as partial molar
> free energy, is a form of potential energy that can be absorbed or
> released during a chemical reaction or phase transition
> 
> 
> 


Which is quite straight forward, in a way. However, it doesn't really make me understanding it entirely, therefore I would like to ask if there is anyone that can help me understand this. I'm always trying to use analogies and therefore I would like to ask the following question:



> 
> Can the chemical potential be seen like the latent heat, where the
> energy is stored as bonds and, in order to break the bonds, one needs
> to add extra energy.
> 
> 
> 


Or is it more complex than this? Please see below a sketch with what I imagine happens inside. Did I understand it right?


[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pt5le.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pt5le.png)


It's hard for me to understand what keeps the energy there. Any help counts!


Thank you!


