DOE research creates low-cost flow battery

3 May 2013


Researchers from the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have designed a low-cost, long life flow battery that will help integrate renewable energy to the electrical grid.

Their new flow battery uses a simplified, less-expensive design than other batteries, which may improve its scalability and cost-effectiveness. In laboratory tests, it also demonstrated excellent energy-storage performance through the equivalent of more than five and a half years of daily charge and discharge cycles.

The research is a product of the new Joint Centre for Energy Storage Research and illustrates the importance of bringing together "top researchers in a concerted effort to tackle major energy challenges", said Patricia M. Dehmer, Acting Director of DOE's Office of Science.

The results of the research was reported in the journal Energy & Environmental Science. "It also shows the potential for significant progress in batteries and energy storage through transformative scientific research," added Dehmer.

The researchers plan to make a laboratory-scale system to optimize its energy storage process and identify potential engineering issues. It also plans to start discussions with potential hosts for a full-scale field-demonstration unit.



Linkedin Linkedin   
Privacy Policy
We have updated our privacy policy. In the latest update it explains what cookies are and how we use them on our site. To learn more about cookies and their benefits, please view our privacy policy. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.