An Introduction To Flow Batteries – Power Quality
Flow batteries have several advantages over conventional batteries, including storing large amounts of energy, fast charging and
The main difference between flow batteries and other rechargeable battery types is that the aqueous electrolyte solution usually found in other batteries is not stored in the cells around the positive electrode and negative electrode. Instead, the active materials are stored in exterior tanks and pumped toward a flow cell membrane and power stack.
A flow battery may be used like a fuel cell (where new charged negolyte (a.k.a. reducer or fuel) and charged posolyte (a.k.a. oxidant) are added to the system) or like a rechargeable battery (where an electric power source drives regeneration of the reducer and oxidant).
The energy storage capacity of a flow battery can be easily increased by adding larger tanks to store more electrolyte. This is a key advantage over solid-state batteries, like lithium-ion, where scaling up often requires more complex and expensive modifications.
Because flow batteries can be rapidly "recharged" by replacing the electrolyte liquid, they make a lot of sense for the future of electric vehicle fuel. The spent electrolyte could theoretically be drained and replaced easily at a fueling station.
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