The Promise of Aqueous Chemistry Semi-Solid Flow Cells (SSFCs)

Abstract

For large scale energy storage and long distance transport applications it is necessary to decouple the power output and capacity of the energy storage device to reduce costs to viable levels. Traditional flow batteries offer this power/capacity decoupling, however, amongst other challenges, the typical energy densities are significantly lower than those available from standard closed cell battery designs.More recently there has been interest in a new type of flow battery, the semi-solid flow cell (SSFC). This type of cell combines the advantages of both flowing and solid battery concepts: the ability to decouple power output and capacity while still maintaining good energy densities. Suggested SSFC electrochemistries to this point have been mostly based on Li-ion technology. We will present research based on an aqueous SSFC chemistry, which has the potential to be safer and cheaper than Li-ion technologies. The important features of the system, and the promise of this technology for future large scale energy storage or transport applications will be considered.