Water-Based Flow Battery for EVs

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Program:
RANGE
Award:
$887,755
Location:
Niskayuna, New York
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
03/28/2014 - 04/02/2015

Technology Description:

General Electric (GE) Power & Water is developing an innovative, high-energy chemistry for a water-based flow battery. A flow battery is an easily rechargeable system that stores its electrode--the material that provides energy--as liquid in external tanks. Flow batteries have typically been used in grid-scale storage applications, but their flexible design architecture could enable their use in vehicles. To create a flow battery suitable for EVs, GE will test new chemistries with improved energy storage capabilities and built a working prototype. GE’s water-based flow battery would be inherently safe because no combustible components would be required and any reactive liquids would be contained in separate tanks. GE estimates that its flow battery could reduce costs by up to 75% while offering a driving range of approximately 240 miles.

Potential Impact:

If successful, GE’s new chemistry could enable a high energy density flow battery for EVs that offers improved driving range, cost, and reliability.

Security:

The mass adoption of EVs would diminish the demand for petroleum, dramatically reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Environment:

Greater use of EVs would reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.

Economy:

Technological advancements from the RANGE program could enable EVs to travel significantly further on a single charge at a much lower cost than that of current EVs and conventional vehicles.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Ping Liu
Project Contact:
Sergei Kniajanski
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
kniajans@ge.com

Partners

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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Release Date:
02/15/2013