Iron flow energy storage

What is an iron-based flow battery?

Iron-based flow batteries designed for large-scale energy storage have been around since the 1980s, and some are now commercially available. What makes this battery different is that it stores energy in a unique liquid chemical formula that combines charged iron with a neutral-pH phosphate-based liquid electrolyte, or energy carrier.

What are iron 'flow batteries' ESS building?

The iron “flow batteries” ESS is building are just one of several energy storage technologies that are suddenly in demand, thanks to the push to decarbonize the electricity sector and stabilize the climate.

Can iron-based aqueous flow batteries be used for grid energy storage?

A new iron-based aqueous flow battery shows promise for grid energy storage applications. A commonplace chemical used in water treatment facilities has been repurposed for large-scale energy storage in a new battery design by researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

How do flow batteries store energy?

Flow batteries, like the one ESS developed, store energy in tanks of liquid electrolytes—chemically active solutions that are pumped through the battery’s electrochemical cell to extract electrons. To increase a flow battery’s storage capacity, you simply increase the size of its storage tank.

Are iron-based batteries a good choice for energy storage?

For comparison, previous studies of similar iron-based batteries reported degradation of the charge capacity two orders of magnitude higher, over fewer charging cycles. Iron-based flow batteries designed for large-scale energy storage have been around since the 1980s, and some are now commercially available.

What is iron flow chemistry?

Iron flow chemistry doesn’t use critical minerals such as vanadium, lithium, or cobalt, reducing the environmental impacts associated with the supply chain and reducing their lifecycle greenhouse gas footprint. Incorporating easy-to-source iron, salt, and water, ESS iron flow batteries stand out as the safe and sustainable LDES solution.