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

Click here to download our Nexant report Table of Contents

 
Nexant’s Technoeconomics – Energy & Chemicals (TECH, formerly known as PERP) is globally recognized as the industry standard source of process evaluations of existing, new and emerging technologies to the chemical and energy industries. TECH’s comprehensive studies include detailed technology analyses, process economics, as well as commercial overviews and industry trends.

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The Author

Marcos Nogueira Cesar – Global Vice President, Nexant Subscriptions

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