New liquid flow battery can generate electricity

Are flow batteries a good energy storage device?

When the battery is hooked up to an external circuit, that energy can be used provide power as needed. What’s advantageous about flow batteries compared to other types of energy storage devices is that they are easily scalable. The larger the electrolyte supply tank, the more energy that can be stored within the battery.

How do flow batteries work?

“Flow batteries work a bit like two fish tanks joined by a membrane barrier that allows ions to pass through, enabling energy storage and release,” Dr Doherty said. “We’ve developed a new type of membrane inside the battery that guides the flow of materials better – kind of like adding lanes to a highway.

Could a water-based 'flow battery' transform home solar energy?

Researchers in Australia have created a new kind of water-based “flow battery” that could transform how households store rooftop solar energy. Credit: Stock Monash scientists designed a fast, safe liquid battery for home solar. The system could outperform expensive lithium-ion options.

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.