Analysis of bottlenecks in flow battery energy storage technology

What is a Technology Strategy assessment on flow batteries?

This technology strategy assessment on flow batteries, released as part of the Long-Duration Storage Shot, contains the findings from the Storage Innovations (SI) 2030 strategic initiative.

Could flow batteries be a breakthrough technology for stationary storage?

Besides lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries could emerge as a breakthrough technology for stationary storage as they do not show performance degradation for 25-30 years and are capable of being sized according to energy storage needs with limited investment.

Why do flow battery developers need a longer duration system?

Flow battery developers must balance meeting current market needs while trying to develop longer duration systems because most of their income will come from the shorter discharge durations. Currently, adding additional energy capacity just adds to the cost of the system.

What is a redox flow battery?

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) or flow batteries (FBs)—the two names are interchangeable in most cases—are an innovative technology that offers a bidirectional energy storage system by using redox active energy carriers dissolved in liquid electrolytes.

How does a flow battery work?

The energy storage units (electrolyte tanks) and the reactors (electrochemical cell stacks) are separated, where energy (governed by the volume and concentration of electrolytes) and power (determined by the cell stacks) are decoupled. The flow battery thus has high scalability and design flexibility for GSES applications 43.

How can flow battery research reduce costs?

Standardization of flow battery components and the development of high-voltage chemistries are highlighted as paths towards decreasing costs and achieving greater market penetration. Electrolyte tank costs are often assumed insignificant in flow battery research.