Are zinc bromine & vanadium 'flow' batteries a juggernaut?

Developers of zinc bromine and vanadium “flow” battery technologies – who for years have toiled tirelessly in the shadows of the juggernaut that is the lithium-ion battery industry with little reward for their troubles – are having a brief moment in the sun.

Are zinc bromine flow batteries better than lithium-ion batteries?

While zinc bromine flow batteries offer a plethora of benefits, they do come with certain challenges. These include lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, lower round-trip efficiency, and the need for periodic full discharges to prevent the formation of zinc dendrites, which could puncture the separator.

Who are the best flow batteries startups?

We analyzed 124 flow batteries startups. RedT Energy, Jena Batteries, Primus Power, ViZn Energy Systems, and Ess Inc are our 5 picks to watch out for. To learn more about the global distribution of these 5 and 119 more startups, check out our Heat Map!

What are zinc-bromine flow batteries?

In particular, zinc-bromine flow batteries (ZBFBs) have attracted considerable interest due to the high theoretical energy density of up to 440 Wh kg−1 and use of low-cost and abundant active materials [10, 11].

Are zinc-bromine flow batteries suitable for large-scale energy storage?

Zinc-bromine flow batteries (ZBFBs) offer great potential for large-scale energy storage owing to the inherent high energy density and low cost. However, practical applications of this technology are hindered by low power density and short cycle life, mainly due to large polarization and non-uniform zinc deposition.

Are zinc-iron flow batteries flammable?

Zinc-iron flow batteries are non-explosive, non-flammable, non-toxic, recyclable at the end of their life, and made from globally abundant materials. These batteries are suitable for utility-scale wind and solar applications. The US-based ViZn Energy Systems develops and produces flow batteries that experience zero capacity fade over 20 years.