German battery company JenaBatteries GmbH and chemical company BASF collaborate to produce electrolytes for a battery technology. The technology is particularly suitable for fixed storage of renewable energy power and conventional stable transmission grids.
JenaBatteries developed this organic material-based redox flow battery (RFB) technology, and can be commercialized, which is the first in the world. The two liquid organic electrolytes used in RFB batteries are separated by thin films and stored in different containers. As part of the cooperation, BASF will provide one of the electrolytes, which is a chemical intermediate based on amines, which can reach industrial scale. JenaBatteries plans to bring the first RFB battery to the market this year.
RFB batteries store electrical energy in compounds. The two reaction partners exist in liquid form and circulate in two separate circuits. The two energy storage electrolytes undergo ion exchange through a layer of membrane in the primary battery. Here, the dissolved substances undergo a reduction or oxidation chemical reaction. Electric energy is absorbed during charging and discharged during discharging. The size of the connection and the retractable tank are the determinants of RFB capacity. Therefore, RFB is suitable as a large-capacity fixed energy storage device with a capacity of 100 kW or more and 400 kWh or more.
RFB batteries have a high degree of flexibility, can achieve high output power of several hundred megawatts, and reach a capacity of gigawatt hours. Therefore, it is very suitable for renewable energy that generates electricity independently of demand. Excess electricity can be stored and delivered on demand. The RFB does not contain any flammable and explosive substances. Compared with other batteries, the life of RFB batteries is 10 times longer because they can be charged more than 10,000 times.