FerroBAT

Challenge

The maritime sector is facing a major transition in the coming years from fossil fuels to fuels based on renewable energy sources. However, solutions are still needed to store renewable energy. Energy storage will play a central role in the green transition, enabling a more stable and reliable integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into the existing power grid.

Solution

The project aims to develop an innovative energy storage solution based on Iron Flow technology, which can provide reliable, long-duration energy to maritime vessels as well as the power grid using non-toxic, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and non-flammable iron-based electrolytes. Innovation in the use of water-soluble iron coordination complexes will allow operation at neutral pH. This will represent a significant non-iterative step that avoids energy losses and the need to rebalance cells due to coating and hydrogen circulation. This will significantly simplify the stack construction.

Extensive testing will be conducted on a large-scale commercially available iron flow battery (75 kW / 500 kWh) to gain a deep understanding of the system and improve battery operation. Additionally, a control strategy for efficient operation (efficiency and reliability) will be developed.

Impact

The project aims to achieve a price of under 100 €/kWh at scale-up.