Iron Flow Battery
Technology Description:
Energy Storage Systems (ESS) is developing a cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly all-iron hybrid flow battery. A flow battery is an easily rechargeable system that stores its electrolyte—the material that provides energy—as liquid in external tanks. Currently, flow batteries account for less than 1% of the grid-scale energy storage market because of their high system costs. The ESS flow battery technology is distinguished by its cost-effective electrolytes, based on earth-abundant iron, and its innovative battery hardware design that dramatically increases power density and enables a smaller and less costly battery. Creating a high-performing and low-cost storage system would enable broad adoption of distributed energy storage systems and help bring more renewable energy technologies—such as wind and solar—onto the grid.
Potential Impact:
If successful, the ESS’ advanced all-iron flow battery technology would ultimately achieve an energy storage cost of $125 per kilowatt hour, representing a substantial price reduction relative to today’s most advanced energy storage technologies.
Security:
A more efficient and reliable grid would be more resilient to potential disruptions. Distributed energy storage would improve consumer and grid electricity reliability.
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. Distributed energy storage would reduce consumer electricity costs and improve efficiency.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik
Project Contact:
Dr. Julia Song
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
julia.song@energystoragesystems.com
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Release Date:
03/02/2010