Innovation in Battery Energy Storage Systems via Redox Flow Batteries Technology

Abstract Utility scale energy storage which is cost effective and scalable is required to meet the global energy demand while maintaining global climate goals, including UAE's goal of net zero by 2050. Increasing renewable energy resources results in volatility presented by supply fluctuations and grid-stability challenges which can be addressed through innovative modular Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that has long discharge hours, more than six hours, fast ramp-up rate and has relatively low maintenance cost. Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB) provide substantial advantages which support a scalable, efficient utility scale energy storage system that can be commercialized at a competitive Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS). Our global Innovation centers are collaborating to develop innovative solution to upgrade existing Battery Energy Storage Systems in power plants and other applications via Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB) technologies along with wide synergy opportunities for clean technology implementation. Our research focuses on the system integration of large scale VRFB system, power rating of 10-100 MW, to the grids and investigates economics of scale and demand forecasts. Moreover, it aims to study the effect of high temperature in the GCC region on the performance of the cell, stack, and system levels. VRFB provides substantial advantages which support the commercialization regions that are rich with Renewable Energy (RE) resources, like solar and wind, where the surplus production can be stored and used at a feasible cost. Other applications include black start and backup power, also upgrading the existing BESS in large power plants. VRFB systems have the unique advantage to decouple power from capacity and can be designed independently, which supports to adapt to changing market conditions and increase your plants flexibility. Moreover, the lifetime can match the powerplant and offer further aspects such as recycling capacity. It's important to note that studies reveal positive trends on the availability of the element Vanadium through reliable supply chain and stable supply/demand, which can further increase the competitiveness of VRFB. Ongoing and future work includes collaborating with a utility/large energy supplier to study and develop a large-scale MW pilot VRFB system in harsh environment such, high temperature climates, to further co-create breakthrough industrial and commercial solutions in VRFB. Redox Flow Battery (RFB) systems are promising solution for utility scale energy storage solutions with zero emissions and have promising business case to replace diesel generators for backup power black start applications. The results include a complete system analysis and a feasible roadmap for VRFB technology adoption.