Flow batteries for large scale energy storage
Integration of large-scale energy storage has become a key enabler to the entire renewable power generation value/supply chain. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are modular and allow commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities with a wider range of behind-the-meter (BTM)/non-dispatchable scenarios and potential for front-of-the meter (FTM)/dispatchable scenarios.
Flow batteries have much to offer both by exploiting utility time of use (TOU) rates and/or with BTM self-generation from solar photovoltaics (PV) and/or wind energy. Flow batteries can be competitive with Li-ion types and present little or no risk of fire or explosion, but toxicity hazards vary among the types as a function of electrolyte chemistry. Flow battery based BESS provide “re-chargeability” along with much deeper cycling achieved by two chemical components dissolved in liquids contained within the flow battery and most commonly separated by a membrane. Different categories of flow batteries include redox, hybrid, and membrane-less.
Nexant’s recently issued TECH report Flow Batteries for Large Scale Energy Storage Extraction Technologies addresses key questions with respect to flow batteries:
What are the key drivers and motivating factors for BTM end-users for incorporating flow batteries in large-scale energy storage?
What are the most likely market trends, scenarios, and opportunities for BESS in next 5-10 years in United States and globally?
What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) for flow batteries?
What are the current costs and projected techno-economics of flow batteries in terms of levelized cost of storage (LCOS) and total installed cost?
Annualized Cost Values on $/kWh-year Basis
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The Author
Marcos Nogueira Cesar – Global Vice President, Nexant Subscriptions