(Invited, Digital Presentation) Zinc-Based Energy Storage System Deployments and Developments for Transition to a Clean Energy Future

Abstract

Rechargeable zinc-based alkaline batteries are an attractive electrochemical energy storage option with zinc anode costs of $3/kWh at full (theoretical) 2 electron capacity. When paired with high-capacity, inexpensive cathodes like manganese dioxide, and accounting for incomplete utilization of the active materials capacities, inactive materials costs (like for current collectors etc.) and manufacturing costs, rechargeable zinc-manganese dioxide batteries costing about $20-30/kWh appear to be within reach. The challenges to meeting these cost targets, and the current status of such rechargeable zinc alkaline batteries will be discussed. The first generation of rechargeable zinc-manganese dioxide batteries are now being deployed in residential, commercial, and utility-scale energy storage applications. In some cases, the applications require several thousand cells to meet the power and capacity requirements. Even such large systems do not require battery management systems at the cell level, being remarkably resilient to overcharging, without flammability and thermal runaway issues, and passing UL 9540A certification requirements without any protective measures being necessary. However, operation of these early deployments, indicate that to optimize systems performance and durability, energy management systems to manage overall systems charge-discharge protocols, taking the specific cell electrochemical characteristics, are desirable. The lessons learned and desirable innovations in designing and managing such large assemblies of cells will also be discussed.