Scientists at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow, Harbin Institute of Technology in China, and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have achieved something interesting. They have developed a predictive model describing how vanadium flow batteries warm themselves when they are cold.
How Vanadium Flow Batteries Warm During Operation
The scientists studied a live installation at an undisclosed site, as the ambient temperature shifted considerably. As they did so, they developed a model that described how the flow battery’s dynamic behavior varied. Contributory factors fluctuated during the study. The ambient temperatures ranged from from 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F), while the flow battery operating parameters fluctuated.
This situation enabled a comprehensive review of vanadium flow battery dynamics. The system’s performance helped explain how it maintained stable operation, even when it was cold. The vanadium flow battery actually generated heat under high load conditions. This helped avoid the performance degradation that some other batteries display when they are cold.
More About This Self-Warming Phenomenon
The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology report that we link to below, describes this phenomenon in more detail:
- When temperatures are low, the electrolyte viscosity – or degree of resistance to flowing – increases significantly.
- This slows the electrolyte circulation through the system, substantially reducing the amount of energy the battery puts out.
- However, during high load currents the electrolyte temperature can rise by more than 15°C, over 10 charge-discharge cycles.
- This phenomenon stabilizes both flow and capacity. The battery can then operate normally even under low ambient temperatures.
This, in a nutshell, describes how vanadium flow batteries warm themselves without human assistance. The Russian and Chinese scientists observed the battery during two operating modes, namely constant flow and constant pump power. They noted how high electrolyte viscosity triggers intensive pump operation, with up to 10% power losses.
While constant pump power avoids system power losses, although there is reduced capacity for the first few cycles until the flow battery warms. This new knowledge will prove useful for utilities and operators, striving to increase the amount of renewable energy in the system.
More Information
Zinc-Vanadium Chemistry For Storage Vanadium Flow Batteries In Rural Areas Preview Image: Diagram of Vanadium Flow Battery Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology Report Research Report in Journal of Power Sources
