Description
The objective of the SAMER project is to increase the efficiency and durability of a proprietary zinc/air flow battery for renewable energy storage. The project aims to demonstrate a round trip energy efficiency of 60% and more than 500 full duty cycles. This will be achieved by conducting research into new electrode and electrolyte materials and manufacturing technologies. SINTEF, Norway’s largest independent research organization, will assist TECNICAS REUNIDAS in the development of the air electrode. Future end users of the energy storage technology include utilities, independent power producers, transmission system operators and energy intensive industries.
Summary of project results
The Project was needed to meet the requirements of energy policy most developed countries are promoting savings and improving energy efficiency, and the promotion of renewable energy. A greater presence of renewables needs the development of energy storage systems to take on peak demand and variability of renewable energy. The objective of the SAMER project was to develop an innovative flow battery based in zinc-air technology. At the end of the project some advances have been done in the design of the bifunctional air electrode and a cell of 100 cm2 has been operated during more than 500 hours. However the overall efficiency of the battery remains low and the working time of the battery is affected by the flooding of the air electrode. During this project the zinc electrode has been improved and this electrode is being used in the development of other flow batteries. It is also clear that a technology breakthrough is needed to improve energy efficiency of metal-air batteries above the targeted 60%.
Summary of bilateral results
TÉCNICAS REUNIDAS (TR) was responsible for the development of the zinc electrode and testing and up-scaling the zinc-air flow cell. The zinc electrode development included testing of new additives, electrode substrates and electrolyte formulations. The flow-cell design and construction included computational fluid dynamic simulation, 3D modeling, selection of materials and auxiliary system components. The zinc-air flow cell was tested in a wide range of temperatures, flow rates and current densities.TR subcontracted SINTEF, a leading Norwegian technological center, the development of the air electrode, which included selection of new catalysts, binders, supports and current collectors, development of new manufacturing processes and electrochemical testing.The partnership was very successful in identifying the failure mechanisms and underlying processes of zinc-air flow battery technology. However, due to the performance and durability limitations of the technology no further investment