Robert Dryfe is Professor of Physical Chemistry at University of Manchester, England, and a specialist in electrochemistry and electrodeposition. He believes that local area energy plans can make an important contribution to his country achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. His contribution forms part of the plan to store a high proportion of renewable energy safely and affordably.
Current Long Duration Storage Alternatives
Dryfe believes these facilities must be able to operate for periods greater than ten hours for his model to be feasible. England’s undulating terrain negates the possibility of mass hydro pumped storage schemes. But batteries have evolved to the point where they make this possibility feasible, at least on paper.
The most advanced batteries available use lithium-ion technology. But Dryfe discounts these insofar as local area energy plans are concerned. This is because they can only store six hours of energy before the cost becomes excessive.
Besides, the Prof. adds, their flammable electrolyte discounts them for strategically important applications. In his opinion, the balance of probability shifts to redox flow batteries as the carbon neutral solution for England.
The Pros and Cons of Redox Flow Batteries
Dryfe believes that redox flow batteries could be a cheaper and less resource-intensive solution compared to lithium-ion:
- They can store energy for longer than his benchmark of ten hours.
- The simple technology has existed for decades and is easily scalable.
- Two tanks make it possible to optimise both power and density.
- This balance is achieved by varying the relative size of the two tanks.
The Role of Local Area Energy Plans In The Mix
Local area energy plans are an alternative to the one-size-fits-all model of giga-size battery farms. Redox flow batteries enable engineers to design niche storage facilities, even catering for the needs of individual homes businesses, and industries.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is trailblazing a plan to implement larger schemes in its ten boroughs. These are like towns within a greater metropole. We like this idea, because it makes the solution more manageable.
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