Description
For a sustainable and clean future, considerations are increasingly given to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. This kind of energy possesses the variable and intermittent nature of their output, so a large scale energy storage system is indispensable for this kind of power plants. One of the most promising systems is the Redox Flow Battery due to its large capacity, long life cycle and safety. Redox flow batteries are designed to convert and store electricity into chemical energy and release it in a controlled fashion when required. The main objective of the Project is to develop a prototype of Redox flow battery. It is expected to develop a 5 kW and 35 kWh Vanadium Flow Battery. The prototype will be used with renewable energy with the purpose of reducing peak power and leveling the power load of renewable energy. With this project it is expected to benefit the whole society since it will boost the use of the renewable energy.
Summary of project results
To achieve a sustainable energy model based on renewable energy, it is necessary to develop efficient, fast, flexible energy storage devices to balance energy production ( which is variable and unpredictable) and energy consumption. The project has focused on designing a battery of VRB, which has many advantages over other batteries (elevate lifespan, low self-discharge, highly expandable, charges and discharges simultaneously, etc) During the course of this project, the consortium has studied the materials that make up the battery looking for improving the battery itself, also the design and fluid dynamic were studied, inquest of provide high efficiencies of the battery. These aspects helps to improve the competitiveness of VRB over other alternatives. The aim of the project was to be able to design and build a battery that could be implemented in renewable energy systems. It has been possible to achieve an improved electrodes, a doped membrane, and a fluid dynamic model.
Summary of bilateral results