This month, we dive into the world of energy storage and a new development that could let RFBs play a key role in the transition away from fossil fuels. While we all know that switching to renewable energy is important in fighting climate change, one of the biggest challenges remains: how do we store that energy for when we need it? This is where redox flow batteries come in, providing large-scale, safe, and cost-effective energy storage.
Why redox flow batteries matter
Traditional batteries, like the ones in your smartphone or electric car, store energy in a single, enclosed cell. While these batteries work well for small devices or vehicles, they are not practical for storing the massive amounts of energy generated by renewable sources like solar or wind power. Redox flow batteries offer a solution by storing energy in liquid electrolytes that are kept in separate tanks. The amount of energy that can be stored depends on the size of these tanks, making the system highly suitable for large applications, such as storing surplus energy from power grids.
For example, many households in The Netherlands generate excess solar energy during sunny days. This energy is often sent back to the electrical grid, but this can cause issues when the grid is overloaded. Redox flow batteries could help by storing the surplus energy efficiently, allowing it to be used when needed, for example on cloudy days or during peak hours when energy demand is very high. This capacity to balance energy supply and demand makes redox flow batteries a promising solution for integrating renewable energy into our daily lives. “Three research groups, including Prof. Jana Roithová, Prof. Floris Rutjes and my group, joined forces to develop new active molecules that store more energy, are more stable and sustainable for redox flow battery applications. In parallel, we develop analytical and diagnostic tools to monitor battery health and prevent battery failure”, chemical researcher Evan Zhao says.
Extending the lifetime of Flow Batteries
Despite the advantages, redox flow batteries have not yet reached their full potential, largely due to challenges with the stability and lifespan of the organic molecules they use. For a battery to be commercially viable, it needs to be durable and capable of lasting for many years without significant performance loss. Researchers have been working hard to solve this problem, and recent breakthroughs are getting us closer to that goal.
This breakthrough involves improving the charge-discharge cycle of the battery, which has extended the lifetime of the organic molecules involved. This improvement could help make redox flow batteries more reliable and cost-effective, paving the way for commercial use.
At the Faculty of Science of Radboud University, researchers are always exploring new methods to optimize these kind of batteries, making them not only more sustainable but also cheaper and safer. One of the ways they are doing this is by employing advanced tools such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and machine learning to better understand the chemical reactions happening within the battery. These technologies help the researchers analyse data more efficiently with hopefully new insights that can lead to further improvements in battery performance.
One of the exciting aspects of this research is its potential to accelerate the development process. By using machine learning algorithms to study large datasets, researchers can quickly identify the best conditions for optimizing battery function. This approach significantly speeds up the traditional trial-and-error method of scientific research, bringing us closer to the day when flow batteries will be a commercially viable option for energy storage.
The future for energy storage
The social impact of redox flow battery research is far-reaching. As The Netherlands and the rest of the world work towards reducing carbon emissions and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, having reliable energy storage solutions is key. Redox flow batteries could play a crucial role in enabling that renewable energy sources are completely used. Additionally, redox flow batteries are a safer and more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional batteries, with therefore lower risks of overheating or contain materials that are harmful to the environment. By focusing on organic molecules and scalable, low-cost solutions, research in this field is helping to create a more sustainable future for energy storage.
Practical tools
Researchers at Radboud University are not only solving fundamental scientific challenges but also creating practical tools and methods that can be used by industries to bring these batteries to market. The ultimate goal is to make renewable energy storage accessible to everyone, from individual households to extensive power networks.
Steps forward in our research on redox flow batteries brings us closer to a future where we can easily use more sustainable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, in our daily lives. Through these technologies, we can realize cleaner and more efficient energy systems. “Our ultimate goal is to develop a redox flow battery based on sustainable and non-critical materials that lasts for 10-20 years with a capacity retention of 80% at the end of service life”, Zhao concludes.
BetaBoost
In BetaBoost, you'll receive a monthly glimpse into ongoing research from the Faculty of Science and its societal impact. Do you have a question about a current topic that you would like a scientific perspective on? Let us know via communications-science [at] ru.nl (communications-science[at]ru[dot]nl).
Picture: a lab-scale redox flow battery. Credit to: Giu Silva Testa
