Hydrogen Bromine Battery
Technology Description:
TVN Systems is developing an advanced hydrogen-bromine flow battery that incorporates a low-cost membrane and durable catalyst materials. A flow battery’s membrane separates its active materials and keeps them from mixing, while the catalyst serves to speed up the chemical reactions that generate electricity. Today’s hydrogen-bromine batteries use very expensive membrane material and catalysts that can degrade as the battery is used. TVN is exploring new catalysts that will last longer than today’s catalysts, and developing new membranes at a fraction of the cost of today’s membranes. Demonstrating long-lasting, cost-competitive storage systems could enable deployment of renewable energy technologies throughout the grid.
Potential Impact:
If successful, TVN’s hydrogen-bromine energy storage system would cost less than $125/kWh, representing a substantial cost reduction over today’s best storage technologies that would support mass adoption of intermittent renewable energy generation.
Security:
A more efficient and reliable grid would be more resilient to potential disruptions.
Environment:
Electricity generation accounts for over 40% of U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Enabling large-scale contributions of wind and solar power for our electricity generation would result in a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions.
Economy:
Increases in the availability of wind and solar power would reduce fossil fuel demand, resulting in reduced fuel prices and more stable electricity rates.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Ping Liu
Project Contact:
Dr. Guangyu Lin
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
glin@tvnsystems.com
Partners
University of Kansas
Vanderbilt University
Related Projects
Release Date:
03/02/2010