Project
Membrane and electrolyte development for redox flow batteries
One of the largest challenges in the worldwide energy transformation to renewable energy is the fluctuating energy output that has to be balanced by large-scale energy storage. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are one of the more promising approaches for such large-scale energy grids.However, there are some challenges for RFBs, including high cost and low power density. In this project, metal-free (organic) redox pairs and/or porous non-fluorinated membranes will be developed to achieve low cost. While high energy densities will be reached by increasing the solubility of redox pairs in supporting electrolytes or by developing redox pairs with high cell potentials. Finally,the battery will be scaled up with these redox pairs and membranes to achieve designed power, and it will be connected with a small commercial solar power plant.