Storing Electricity

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the need for energy storage at the utility-scale. We detail the role and attractiveness of redox flow battery systems in enabling grid-integration of renewable energy sources to resolve intermittent flux issues and resolve challenges against uptake faced by such sources. This is done via a general introduction of flow battery technology, with highlights of different types of established as well as recently developed redox flow battery systems. The current technological and commercial status of the Zn/Br system is discussed. This leads into an introduction of the various potential avenues of investigation to improve the performance and thus the commercial viability of the Zn/Br flow battery. A case is made for the need to adopt novel design approaches and actively seek better materials of construction for the next generation of Zn/Br batteries. Finally, the organizational structure of this book is explained with regard to categorizing detailed work related to both zinc and bromine half-cells into the various technical review themes.