Bridget is another Chemical Engineer intern this summer from Michigan Technological University.  Go Huskies!  Bridget performed a great economic analysis of our redox flow battery.

Techno-economic analysis of a nonaqueous redox flow battery with a simple separator.

Bridget O’Connell, Dr. Andre Benard, Korey Cook, Dr. Tom Guarr, Shane Mann

Energy storage is critical for electricity grids that are comprised of intermittent energy sources. Redox flow batteries (RFB) represent a promising method for energy storage and power generation that can be reliable. However, current RFBs lack the capability to meet the demanding $100/kWh requirement established by the Department of Energy (DOE). In this presentation, economic prospects of achievable future cost projections are discussed with the aid of equations and experimental data.

Despite higher chemical costs, employing a chemical system that uses a simple separator, and the implementation of a two-electron transfer system, has reduced the overall capital cost per kWh by 28%. With these changes, the RFB meets the DOE’s target with an overall capital cost of $100.41/kWh. This battery exceeds the DOE’s target of $0.05/kWh for the levelized cost of storage.

Future chemical permutations will be dedicated to reducing molecular weight and material costs. In the end, the impact of these alterations on the overall capital cost per kilowatt-hour, and the LCOS, will drive future research.

Bridget is also returning to MTU and soon will be studying abroad in Chile. (I’m pretty sure I have that right).  Thank you for your time this summer Bridget, and thank you for showing that our batteries are economically viable and ready for scale-up!