Where space is not a constraint, flow batteries are deemed to be good energy storing devices. In conventional batteries, energy is stored in solid electrodes. In flow batteries, the storage of energy is in liquid redox electrolytes, which can be kept in tanks outside the cells — if you want to store more energy, you just make the tanks bigger. They can indeed be as big as you want, there is no limit. If you want more power, you only have to increase the number of cells or stack size.
Flow batteries have been around for some time, but industry is increasingly looking to them for applications such as storing electricity to handle the intermittency issue in solar and wind farms or maintaining grid stability.
In countries like Australia, where people live in far-flung areas, flow batteries are fast replacing conventional diesel gensets.
Researchers the world over are trying to improve the performance of flow batteries. In this, a team of scientists led by Prof Kothandaraman Ramanujam and Prof Sankararaman S, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, have developed a ''non-aqueous all-organic redox flow battery'' (NORFB), which promises improved performance.
Conventional flow batteries feature aqueous (water-based) electrolytes like hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, and alkali metal hydroxides, which bring forth two problems. One, the water interferes by undergoing electrolysis and, therefore, reducing the operating voltage limit and energy density (amount of energy packed per unit volume or gram); and two, they corrode battery components.
Thus, as an alternative, researchers have been looking for electrolytes that are non-aqueous and organic.
The IIT-M researchers have developed a new type of electrolyte using ''pyrylium salts'', which are a class of organic chemicals.
Technically, with suitable structural modifications these chemicals allow high-voltage operation, namely they can store more energy. Ramanujam told Quantum that the team achieved current densities of 40 mA/sq cm, which is pretty high (as the redox materials were charged and acting as conducting medium). The team used ''2-, 4-, 6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate'' as the anolyte, and ''N-decylphenothiazine'' as the catholyte. Ramanujam said these chemicals can be produced easily and are cheap.
The electrolyte is designed to carry more current density as well as voltage. The battery has been demonstrated with an average coulombic efficiency of 97 per cent.
While the anolyte material offers high solubility and reversibility, it is not as stable as desired. However, re-engineering the molecule can impart the desired stability.
A scientific paper by Ramanujam, Sankararaman and their student Priya Vallayil in the Journal of Energy Storage concludes that pyrylium salts are a "new family of anolyte material that can be used as a potential anolyte for non-aqueous flow battery applications".
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The CLIMAFIX Summit is India’s largest climate startup summit, organized by EAI & Energy Consortium – IIT Madras. Umesh V & Shanmugakumar Murugesan – Tharam-Thiran Green Energy Flow shares their thoughts on Energy Storage at CLIMAFIX Summit 2022, Nov 25 & 26, 2022, at the IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai.
Rohan Choukkar – Bharat Innovation Fund, moderated the session
Other panel participants were:
Arun Reddy Thumma – ChargeKart (Watch their presentation – here)
Akshay Harikumar – Wenergie Ecoworks (Watch their presentation – here)
In recent years, the global push for renewable energy has intensified, with nations like India setting ambitious targets for clean energy adoption. However, the transition to renewables comes with its own set of challenges, chief among them being the need for efficient energy storage solutions. Traditional battery systems have limitations that make them unsuitable for grid-scale storage. In this context, the emergence of flow battery technology offers a promising alternative, particularly in countries like India striving to meet their renewable energy goals. This article explores the significance of flow battery technology in India’s sustainable energy landscape and the pioneering efforts of companies like Green Energy Flow in this field.
India’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its ambitious target of achieving 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030. However, the intermittent nature of renewable sources such as solar and wind power underscores the importance of reliable energy storage systems. Grid-scale storage is crucial for balancing supply and demand, stabilizing the grid, and ensuring uninterrupted power supply. Conventional battery systems, while effective on a smaller scale, fall short when it comes to cost-effectiveness and scalability for grid-level applications.
Enter Flow Battery Technology:
Flow batteries present a compelling solution to the challenges of grid-scale energy storage. Unlike conventional batteries, which store energy in enclosed cells, flow batteries store energy in external tanks of liquid electrolytes. This design allows for independent scaling of power and energy capacity, making flow batteries well-suited for large-scale storage applications. Additionally, flow batteries offer advantages such as longer lifespan, rapid response times, and the ability to decouple power and energy, providing greater flexibility to grid operators.
Historically, vanadium-based flow batteries have dominated the market due to their high energy density and efficiency. However, the prohibitive cost of vanadium has hindered widespread adoption, particularly in emerging markets like India. Recognizing the need for a more cost-effective alternative, Green Energy Flow has embarked on a journey to develop flow battery solutions using iron-based electrolytes.
Iron-Based Flow Batteries: The Future of Energy Storage?
By leveraging iron-based electrolytes, Green Energy Flow aims to overcome the cost barriers associated with vanadium-based systems while maintaining performance and reliability. Their research and development efforts focus on optimizing the chemistry and engineering of iron-based flow batteries to deliver competitive solutions for grid-scale energy storage. With iron being abundantly available and cost-effective, their approach holds promise for driving down the overall cost of flow battery technology and making it more accessible to markets like India.
Addressing the Market Gap:
While flow battery research is ongoing in India, there remains a significant gap in commercialization and deployment. Unlike established markets where companies have been refining flow battery technology for decades, India lacks indigenous solutions tailored to its specific needs. As pioneers in the field, Green Energy Flow is committed to bridging this gap by bringing their iron-based flow battery technology to market. However, they recognize that success requires collaboration and expertise. Hence, they are actively seeking co-founders who share their vision and passion for sustainable energy solutions.
The journey towards a sustainable energy future requires innovation, collaboration, and bold initiatives. Flow battery technology represents a transformative approach to grid-scale energy storage, offering the flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness needed to support the transition to renewable energy sources. In India, where the demand for clean energy solutions is surging, the development and deployment of flow battery technology has the potential to accelerate the nation’s progress towards its renewable energy goals. As Green Energy Flow forges ahead on this path, they invite like-minded individuals to join them in shaping a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Innovating for India’s Future: How AGNIi is Empowering Startups to Combat Climate Challenges
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