Flow batteries are resurging before our eyes. In fact, we could say the only thing holding them back is our resistance to change. Although vested capital sunk into the traditional battery industry undoubtedly also plays a role. Today we share how flow batteries are our future hope, with due acknowledgement of thoughts passed on by Codibly.
Are Flow Batteries Our Future Reborn Technology?
Lithium batteries are showing signs of flaring out, after making a noteworthy contribution. The reasons are easy to understand. They use rare non-renewable materials, and they cannot scale up to meet the imperative for universal green energy. Forward thinkers believe flow batteries are our future alternative, with potential to carry us forward.
That’s because flow battery technology, in the form of redox vanadium reflects the needs of our future world. Although the concept first emerged in 1884, when it powered Charles Renard and Arthur Constantin Krebs’ remarkable airship.
However, their zinc-chlorine flow battery appeared to have been a flash in the pan for a long time. Until NASA wondered if flow batteries were the future of space travel. They put their money where their hearts were when they created the first iron-and-chromium redox flow battery. Although they only intended to use it later for energy storage on Moon.
How Flow Batteries Work in Simple Terms
Flow batteries follow a logic similar to conventional storage cells, although they function differently. That’s because – while they may be electrochemical conversion devices – they rely on energy differences in the oxidation states of specific elements. The three main types of flow batteries use either redox, hybrid, or membrane-less designs.
However, the current focus is on redox flow batteries right now. These use a liquid phase reduction-oxidation reaction when liquid electrolyte flows through their electrodes. Their electrolyte can be recycled by pumping it back through their electrodes into the tanks. We’ll share more major advantages of this technology in our next post.
More Information
Flow Batteries Are Our Energy Storage Future
