The utilization of intermittent renewable energy sources needs low-cost, reliable energy storage systems in the future. Among various electrochemical energy storage systems, redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising with merits of independent energy storage and power generation capability, localization flexibility, high efficiency, low scaling-up cost, and excellent long charge/discharge cycle life. RFBs typically use metal ions as reacting species. The most exploited types are all-vanadium RFBs (VRFBs). Here, we discuss the core components for the VRFBs, including the development and application of different types of membranes, electrode materials, and stack system. In addition, we introduce the recent progress in the discovery of novel electrolytes, such as redox-active organic compounds, polymers, and organic/inorganic suspensions. Versatile structures, tunable properties, and abundant resources of organic-based electrolytes make them suitable for cost-effective stationary applications. With the active species in solid form, suspension electrolytes are expected to provide enhanced volumetric energy densities.
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February 2018
Review Articles
Redox Flow Batteries for Energy Storage: A Technology Review
Ruijie Ye,
Ruijie Ye
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Dirk Henkensmeier,
Dirk Henkensmeier
Fuel Cell Research Center,
Korea Institute of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
Korea Institute of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
ET-GT,
University of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
University of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
Green School,
Korea University,
Seoul 136-713, South Korea
Korea University,
Seoul 136-713, South Korea
Search for other works by this author on:
Sang Jun Yoon,
Sang Jun Yoon
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
Center for Membranes,
Advanced Materials Division,
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology,
Daejeon 34114, South Korea
Advanced Materials Division,
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology,
Daejeon 34114, South Korea
Search for other works by this author on:
Zhifeng Huang,
Zhifeng Huang
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Dong Kyu Kim,
Dong Kyu Kim
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
Department of Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering,
Seoul National University,
Seoul 08826, South Korea
Aerospace Engineering,
Seoul National University,
Seoul 08826, South Korea
Search for other works by this author on:
Zhenjun Chang,
Zhenjun Chang
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
College of Materials Science and Engineering,
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology,
Zhenjiang 212003, China
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology,
Zhenjiang 212003, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Sangwon Kim,
Sangwon Kim
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Ruiyong Chen
Ruiyong Chen
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
e-mail: r.chen@kist-europe.de
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
e-mail: r.chen@kist-europe.de
Search for other works by this author on:
Ruijie Ye
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
Dirk Henkensmeier
Fuel Cell Research Center,
Korea Institute of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
Korea Institute of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
ET-GT,
University of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
University of Science and Technology,
Seoul 02792, South Korea;
Green School,
Korea University,
Seoul 136-713, South Korea
Korea University,
Seoul 136-713, South Korea
Sang Jun Yoon
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
Center for Membranes,
Advanced Materials Division,
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology,
Daejeon 34114, South Korea
Advanced Materials Division,
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology,
Daejeon 34114, South Korea
Zhifeng Huang
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
Dong Kyu Kim
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
Department of Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering,
Seoul National University,
Seoul 08826, South Korea
Aerospace Engineering,
Seoul National University,
Seoul 08826, South Korea
Zhenjun Chang
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany;
College of Materials Science and Engineering,
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology,
Zhenjiang 212003, China
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology,
Zhenjiang 212003, China
Sangwon Kim
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
Ruiyong Chen
Transfercenter Sustainable Electrochemistry,
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Saarland University,
Saarbrücken 66125, Germany;
Bio Sensor and Materials Group,
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
e-mail: r.chen@kist-europe.de
KIST Europe,
Campus E7 1,
Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
e-mail: r.chen@kist-europe.de
1Corresponding author.
Manuscript received May 15, 2017; final manuscript received July 5, 2017; published online September 19, 2017. Assoc. Editor: Kevin Huang.
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor. Feb 2018, 15(1): 010801 (21 pages)
Published Online: September 19, 2017
Article history
Received:
May 15, 2017
Revised:
July 5, 2017
Citation
Ye, R., Henkensmeier, D., Yoon, S. J., Huang, Z., Kim, D. K., Chang, Z., Kim, S., and Chen, R. (September 19, 2017). "Redox Flow Batteries for Energy Storage: A Technology Review." ASME. J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor. February 2018; 15(1): 010801. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4037248
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