Flow batteries - Powering the grid with sunlight overnight

Redox flow batteries are well positioned to absorb excess low cost solar during the day and dispatch that renewable energy to the grid overnight and during peak hours. However, flow batteries must be improved to be made out of low cost, earth abundant materials which have a long cycle life to lower the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) and make them viable on large scales. The various flow battery technologies will be compared, with a focus on cost and performance.

In this presentation you will learn: 

• What are flow batteries and where do they make sense to deploy. 
• An overview of the different kinds of flow batteries and the challenges that come with each.
• How flow batteries can be improved to reduce cost.

Speakers

Jacob Johnston

Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Information and Physical Sciences, The University of Newcastle.

Dr Jacob Johnston completed his PhD on cost effective Aluminum-ion batteries at the University of Newcastle in 2023. He now works on optimising the cost and performance metrics of flow batteries, his research focusses on bromine based redox flow batteries due to the low cost of bromide salt based redox active material.