In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have unveiled a novel battery design harnessing a commonplace chemical used in water treatment facilities for large-scale energy storage. This innovation marks a significant stride towards establishing a safe, cost-effective, water-based flow battery constructed from readily available materials—an advancement poised to bolster the integration of intermittent energy sources like wind and solar into the national electric grid.
Published in Nature Communications, the research showcases a lab-scale iron-based battery exhibiting exceptional cycling stability, retaining 98.7% of its maximum capacity over one thousand charging cycles. This remarkable performance surpasses previous studies, underscoring the viability of the new battery design.
Unlike conventional batteries, flow batteries utilize two chambers containing different liquids, charging through electrochemical reactions and storing energy in chemical bonds. The distinguishing feature of this battery lies in its utilization of a unique liquid chemical formula, featuring charged iron combined with a neutral-pH phosphate-based electrolyte—NTMPA. Notably, NTMPA is readily available in industrial quantities, commonly employed in water treatment to inhibit corrosion.
Lead researcher Guosheng Li emphasizes the motivation behind developing battery materials sourced from Earth-abundant elements and domestically available resources. The battery's aqueous nature and neutral pH offer advantages in terms of safety and ease of operation, particularly in urban environments.
With an initial energy density reaching 9 watt-hours per liter, this iron flow battery presents a promising alternative for grid-scale energy storage. While currently lower than commercial vanadium-based systems, the scalability and utilization of Earth-abundant materials position it as a competitive solution for energy storage needs.
Future endeavors aim to enhance battery performance, focusing on aspects such as voltage output and electrolyte concentration. The forthcoming Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) facility at PNNL will play a pivotal role in scaling up this and other battery technologies, accelerating the deployment of advanced energy storage systems for a sustainable energy future.
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