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How do flow batteries store energy?

Flow batteries, like the one ESS developed, store energy in tanks of liquid electrolytes—chemically active solutions that are pumped through the battery’s electrochemical cell to extract electrons. To increase a flow battery’s storage capacity, you simply increase the size of its storage tank.

Can Li-ion batteries be used for energy storage?

The first batteries were used for consumer electronics and now, building on the success of these Li-ion batteries, many companies are developing larger-format cells for use in energy-storage applications. Many also expect there to be significant synergies with the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) powered by Li-ion batteries.

Why should a flow battery be kept in an external tank?

But with a flow battery, keeping the electrolyte in an external tank means that the energy-storing part is separate from the power-producing part. This decoupling of energy and power enables a utility to add more energy storage without also adding more electrochemical battery cells.

How do you increase a flow battery's storage capacity?

To increase a flow battery’s storage capacity, you simply increase the size of its storage tank. When the battery grows to the size of a building, those tanks become silos. Inside the flow battery’s electrochemical cells, two electrolytes are separated by a membrane.

What are the different types of energy storage?

The oldest and most common form of energy storage is mechanical pumped-storage hydropower. Water is pumped uphill using electrical energy into a reservoir when energy demand is low. Later, the water is allowed to flow back downhill, turning a turbine that generates electricity when demand is high.