Emerging electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies.

Sukhvinder P S Badwal,Christopher Munnings,Anthony F Hollenkamp,Sarbjit S Giddey,Anand I Bhatt

doi:10.3389/fchem.2014.00079

Abstract

Electrochemical cells and systems play a key role in a wide range of industry sectors. These devices are critical enabling technologies for renewable energy; energy management, conservation, and storage; pollution control/monitoring; and greenhouse gas reduction. A large number of electrochemical energy technologies have been developed in the past. These systems continue to be optimized in terms of cost, life time, and performance, leading to their continued expansion into existing and emerging market sectors. The more established technologies such as deep-cycle batteries and sensors are being joined by emerging technologies such as fuel cells, large format lithium-ion batteries, electrochemical reactors; ion transport membranes and supercapacitors. This growing demand (multi billion dollars) for electrochemical energy systems along with the increasing maturity of a number of technologies is having a significant effect on the global research and development effort which is increasing in both in size and depth. A number of new technologies, which will have substantial impact on the environment and the way we produce and utilize energy, are under development. This paper presents an overview of several emerging electrochemical energy technologies along with a discussion some of the key technical challenges.

Highlights

In view of the projected global energy demand and increasing levels of greenhouse gases and pollutants (NOx, SOx, fine particulates), there is a well-established need for new energy technologies which provide clean and environmentally friendly solutions to meet end user requirements
It has been clear for decades that renewable energy sources such as wind and solar would play some role in the modern grid with predictions varying on the levels of penetration and the effect that these renewable power sources would have on the stability of national grids
The voltage required for high temperatures (HTs) carbon-assisted electrolysis is significantly lower than that required for the PEMbased system described above with some reports showing that hydrogen can be produced even with no applied voltage (Lee et al, 2011)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In view of the projected global energy demand and increasing levels of greenhouse gases and pollutants (NOx, SOx, fine particulates), there is a well-established need for new energy technologies which provide clean and environmentally friendly solutions to meet end user requirements. There is a substantial current and future (new applications) global demand for hybrid energy solutions or power sources to optimize cost, efficiency, reliability, and lifetime whilst meeting the performance requirements of the applications In this regard many electrochemical energy technologies are expected to play a key role. This type of system can be used to store hydrogen and operate a PEM fuel cell to provide power at times when renewable energy cannot meet the load demand. If electricity and water are the only inputs

Energy Output

NG CH3OH H2 NG NG NG Carbon

1.6–2 M vanadium sulfate in sulfuric acid in both half-cells

MW Capacity

Findings

CONCLUSION