Overcoming the performance limitations of hybrid redox flow batteries with modular operation

Diarmid Roberts, Jenny Baker, Justin Searle, Tom Griffiths, Richard Lewis, Solomon Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (SciVal)

Abstract

To help solve the energy trilemma, energy storage technologies must demonstrate low cost and high efficiency to avoid inflating the cost of renewable power. Hybrid redox-flow batteries are a promising multi-hour storage technology, as they use low cost chemicals in an easily recyclable format. However, they suffer from low efficiency at low power output, and require periodic maintenance downtime to remove metal from the anode. Here, we show that a modular system can overcome these challenges with appropriate control. A novel optimisation model for modular operation with periodic maintenance is parametrised from a commercial zinc‑bromine hybrid RFB. Independent module control was predicted to improve operational efficiency, with six modules achieving 73 % compared to the peak efficiency of 80 %. A non-obvious schedule for maintenance was determined algebraically, where energy is transferred from a module due maintenance to one that is fresh. It is found that staggering the strip cycles across several days and performing them when PV and load are roughly in balance in the morning is the optimal timing. The findings are significant as they show that maintenance does not preclude hybrid RFB from firm power provision, and that high efficiency is possible during operation through modular control.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110280
JournalJournal of Energy Storage
Volume81
Early online date15 Mar 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2024

Data Availability Statement

The data-set used in this work, and the code used for the simulations may be found in the GitHub repository: https://github.com/diarmidr/MEEM.

Funding

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre ( EP/N020863/1 ), and the CDT for Energy Storage and its Applications ( EP/L016818/1 ). Dr. Jenny Baker was also funded through ECR Fellowship NoRESt ( EP/S03711X/1 ). The work at Sheffield was also supported by Drax Group. The funding sources were not involved in decisions relating to the execution and publication of this work.

FundersFunder number
Drax Group
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilEP/L016818/1, EP/N020863/1, EP/S03711X/1

Keywords

  • Firm PV
  • Hybrid redox flow battery
  • Maintenance scheduling
  • Modular
  • Self-sufficiency
  • Zinc bromine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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