Redox Flow Batteries: Materials, Design and Prospects

Igor Iwakiri, Tiago Antunes, Helena Almeida, João P. Sousa, Rita Bacelar Figueira and Adélio Mendes
Additional contact information
Igor Iwakiri: Vasco da Gama CoLAB—Energy Storage, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Tiago Antunes: Vasco da Gama CoLAB—Energy Storage, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Helena Almeida: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
João P. Sousa: Vasco da Gama CoLAB—Energy Storage, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Rita Bacelar Figueira: Vasco da Gama CoLAB—Energy Storage, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Adélio Mendes: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-45

Abstract: The implementation of renewable energy sources is rapidly growing in the electrical sector. This is a major step for civilization since it will reduce the carbon footprint and ensure a sustainable future. Nevertheless, these sources of energy are far from perfect and require complementary technologies to ensure dispatchable energy and this requires storage. In the last few decades, redox flow batteries (RFB) have been revealed to be an interesting alternative for this application, mainly due to their versatility and scalability. This technology has been the focus of intense research and great advances in the last decade. This review aims to summarize the most relevant advances achieved in the last few years, i.e., from 2015 until the middle of 2021. A synopsis of the different types of RFB technology will be conducted. Particular attention will be given to vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), the most mature RFB technology, but also to the emerging most promising chemistries. An in-depth review will be performed regarding the main innovations, materials, and designs. The main drawbacks and future perspectives for this technology will also be addressed.

Keywords: redox flow batteries; energy storage; batteries; stationary energy storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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