Research progress and Prospect of salt cavern flow battery for large scale energy storage

The salt cavern flow battery is a novel large-scale energy storage technology that combines salt cavern storage technology with a flow battery system. This technology leverages the widespread distribution, large volume, high stability, excellent sealing properties, and low permeability characteristics of salt caverns, using the underground cavities of salt caverns as the energy storage medium and reactor volume of the battery. It holds great potential for large-scale energy storage. This technology not only effectively addresses the issues of low energy density and conversion efficiency in traditional salt cavern compressed air energy storage systems but also enhances the overall performance of the energy storage system by optimizing the energy storage medium and reactor design. This paper provides an overview of the development history of salt cavern flow battery energy storage and introduces the key challenges still facing the development of salt cavern flow batteries, including the selection of electrolytes, long-term compatibility between the electrolyte and salt rock, and the stability of the salt cavern. Finally, the paper looks ahead to the future prospects of large-scale, integrated, and intelligent development of salt cavern flow battery energy storage, promoting its integration as a key component of clean energy systems and further advancing the application and development of sustainable energy.