What are the current commercial flow battery chemistries?

Current commercial flow batteries are based on vanadium- and zinc-based flow battery chemistries. Typical flow battery chemistries include all vanadium, iron-chromium, zinc-bromine, zinc-cerium, and zinc-ion.

What is a flow battery?

A flow battery is an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through ion exchange across an ion-selective membrane. It separates two liquid electrolytes stored in separate tanks. Typical flow battery chemistries include all vanadium, iron-chromium, zinc-bromine, zinc-cerium, and zinc-ion.

Are iron flow batteries better than Li-ion batteries?

Iron flow batteries have a longer asset life than Li-ion batteries. Battery manufacturers are collaborating with utility companies to implement iron flow battery projects, aiming to replace diesel-fueled power generation with the more environmentally friendly flow battery system.

Why are flow batteries important?

Flow batteries are important because they help create a more stable grid and reduce grid congestion. They also fill renewable energy production shortfalls for asset owners. Global R&D is fueling the development of flow battery chemistry by significantly enabling higher energy density electrodes and extending flow battery applications.

Are flow batteries the future of energy storage?

Flow batteries, with their ability to create a more stable grid and reduce grid congestion, are considered a promising technology for energy storage. Their adoption is closely linked with the surging energy storage market and can help fill renewable energy production shortfalls.

What makes iron flow batteries environmentally friendly?

As iron flow batteries consist of earth-abundant and non-toxic materials, they are environmentally friendly, safe, and one of the most reliable electrochemical energy storage devices. On the other hand, an iron flow battery uses electrolytes made up of iron salts in an ionized form.