Are flow batteries the future of energy storage?

Flow batteries are emerging as a transformative technology for large-scale energy storage, offering scalability and long-duration storage to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

What are flow batteries used for?

Renewable Energy Storage: One of the most promising uses of flow batteries is in the storage of energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind. Since these energy sources are intermittent, flow batteries can store excess energy during times of peak generation and discharge it when demand is high, providing a stable energy supply.

Are flow batteries scalable?

Scalability: One of the standout features of flow batteries is their inherent scalability. The energy storage capacity of a flow battery can be easily increased by adding larger tanks to store more electrolyte.

Are flow batteries a low-cost long-term energy storage technology?

In an August 2024 report “Achieving the Promise of Low-Cost Long Duration Energy Storage,” the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found flow batteries to have the lowest levelized cost of storage (LCOS) of any technology that isn’t geologically constrained. DOE estimates that flow batteries can come to an LCOS of $0.055/kWh.

Are flow batteries still king?

With most energy transition technologies, cost is still king. Innovators in the flow battery space have been working hard to develop options that compete with both lithium-ion and vanadium, the dominant flow battery chemistry available on the market today. That work seems to be paying off.

Are flow batteries a game-changer for large-scale energy storage?

Among these innovations, flow batteries have emerged as a potential game-changer for large-scale energy storage. Recent advancements in membrane technology, particularly the development of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (sPEEK) membranes, have brought flow batteries closer to widespread adoption.