US researchers test out consumer flow battery tech
The battery being tested by the team at the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University in New York, is designed to be more energy efficient than existing flow batteries used in industry for use in homes The battery, developed by startup StorEn Technologies which is based at Stony Brook, is being tested through to the end of March 2019.
Existing vanadium flow battery designs are large in size and built for big industry. StorEn has developed a smaller, more condensed prototype, suitable for smaller load markets such as residential and light commercial applications.
The testing of the battery and process for validating its applications has moved forward at the AERTC along with the Center in Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES), a NY State-designated Center for Advanced Technology located in the AERTC; the Clean Energy Business Incubator Program (CEBIP), and the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) at the Rochester Institute of Technology. NYSP2I will be issuing a comprehensive technical and environmental impact report upon completion of the testing, which StorEn anticipates will be critical to raising the required funds to commercialize their technology.
“The collaborative efforts between all parties involved with the validation of this promising and innovative flow battery technology represents how multiple New York State programs can work together with industry for the benefit of our incubator companies, helping them achieve credibility and ultimately commercial success,” said Bob Catell, chair of the AERTC.
“We are happy to conduct this validation program at Stony Brook to demonstrate the technological advancements achieved with our first-generation design,” said StorEn CTO Angelo D’Anzi. “Vanadium flow batteries are a proven technology which have demonstrated such critical fundamentals as: exceptional duration of 25 years, no decay in capacity over time, and utilizing a water-based non-flammable and non-explosive electrolyte. Our R&D focused on building upon these proven characteristics to enhance the electrical performance of vanadium batteries as a strategy to reduce cost, and on reducing their environmental footprint.”
In addition the batteries have achieved a 100 percent Index of Recyclability due to a reusable electrolyte, reducing the impact on landfill and mining.
“The validation of emerging-energy technologies is a key program and focus for NYSP2I,”said Charles Ruffing, director of NYSP2I. “Our independent analysis of these technologies is an important milestone for clients of New York State’s energy-incubator system. We are pleased to work with Stony Brook and StorEn in this prototype evaluation, which will provide valuable information for future prototype development and commercialization.”
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