The Future of Energy Storage: Vanadium Redox Flow
Batteries(VRB/VRFB)
Storytelling with Open Data
Monish Chezhian (S4027481)
Introduction
In a world rapidly transitioning to renewable energy,
the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. How do
we store energy for those cloudy, calm days? The answer might lie in an
often-overlooked technology: Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs).
They’re not just batteries; they might be the future guardians of our
green world.
Historical Growth of
VRBs
- 1930 - The early conceptual phase where the idea of
redox batteries might have been explored.
- 1970 - Ashimura and Miyake pioneered the redox flow
battery technology in Japan.
- 1980 - Maria Skyllas-Kazacos demonstrated the first
All-Vanadium Redox Flow Battery, patented by the University of New South
Wales.
- Mid 1990s - Mitsubishi Electric and Kashima-Kita
Electric Power Corporation implemented the first large-scale VRFB
technology.
- Mid 1990s - Early 2000s - VRFB technology was
licensed to Mitsubishi Chemicals and Kashima-Kita Electric Power
Corporation, leading to the first industrial-scale vanadium battery
installation.
- 2006 - The expiration of key patents, although not
confirmed for 2006, led to increased commercialization and pilot-scale
developments.
- 2010-2015 - Focus on addressing VRFB development
challenges, exploring new redox chemistries, optimizing battery
performance, and innovating VRFB solutions.
- Late 2010s - VRFB technology integrated with
renewable energy sources and witnessed substantial projects like Pangea
Energy Project in South Australia.
Part 3: Lighting the Path Forward:
Scene
1: Recent steps of advancements in VRFB Technology
Start (PB/CF VE):
In the early stages of VRFB development, we began with what we call
the “Start (PB/CF VE),” where we used a specific type of electrode
material known as PB/CF.This initial phase marked the birth of a
technology with immense potential.
Nanofluidic
Approach:
As VRFB technology progressed, one of the
game-changing advancements was the adoption of porous electrodes.The
adoption of porous electrodes marked a breakthrough, enhancing mass
transfer and boosting VRFB efficiency significantly.
Nanofluidic Approach
Increase:
In our relentless pursuit of excellence, we explored
cutting-edge innovations, including the “Nanofluidic Approach
Increase.By embracing nanofluidics, VRFBs entered a new era of
efficiency and longevity, positioning them as leaders in sustainable
energy storage.
