Modified Redox Flow Battery Membranes for Improvement in Energy Storage Technology

In this project, a novel membrane technology was developed and tested to increase the performance of redox flow batteries., a leading candidate for utility-scale electricity storage applications.

Project at a Glance

Funding Recipient: University of Calgary, Edward (Ted) Roberts
Website: Visit their website
Funding Awarded: $278,475
Project Duration: Feb 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2023
Sector: Clean Technology, Energy, Environment
Program: Energy Storage and Minerals

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Project description:

Low carbon electricity grids require cost-effective, flexible energy storage technologies to enable intermittent renewable sources, such as wind and solar, to be dispatched whenever electricity is needed. Redox flow batteries, which store energy in liquids, are a leading candidate for utility-scale electricity storage applications as they have a long life and flexible design. In this project, a novel membrane technology was developed and tested to increase the performance of redox flow batteries. The membrane technology was produced with low-cost materials and through a low-cost, scalable process, intended to increase performance while reducing the cost of battery systems.

The project plan included the following activities:

  • Optimize the membrane technology using lab scale testing to enhance the performance of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB).
  • Evaluate the impact of the membrane technology on the performance of lower cost, non-vanadium redox flow battery technologies.
  • Integrate the membrane technology into a commercial VRFB.
  • Scale-up the membrane technology to demonstrate the performance enhancement in a 5 kW, small commercial scale VRFB.
  • Achieve an increase in the power and energy density of the small commercial VRFB by more than 50%.