What is a vanadium flow battery?

Open access Abstract Vanadium Flow Batteries (VFBs) are a stationary energy storage technology, that can play a pivotal role in the integration of renewable sources into the electrical grid, thanks to unique advantages like power and energy independent sizing, no risk of explosion or fire and extremely long operating life.

Are vanadium redox flow batteries suitable for stationary energy storage?

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) can effectively solve the intermittent renewable energy issues and gradually become the most attractive candidate for large-scale stationary energy storage. However, their low energy density and high cost still bring challenges to the widespread use of VRFBs.

Why are innovative membranes needed for vanadium redox flow batteries?

Innovative membranes are needed for vanadium redox flow batteries, in order to achieve the required criteria; i) cost reduction, ii) long cycle life, iii) high discharge rates and iv) high current densities. To achieve this, variety of materials were tested and reported in literature. 7.1. Zeolite membranes

Who invented all-vanadium redox flow batteries?

Skyllas-Kazacos et al. developed the all-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) concept in the 1980s . Over the years, the team has conducted in-depth research and experiments on the reaction mechanism and electrode materials of VRFB, which contributed significantly to the development of VRFB going forward , , .

What are all-vanadium redox flow batteries?

All-vanadium redox flow batteries use V (II), V (III), V (IV), and V (V) species in acidic media. This formulation was pioneered in the late eighties by the research group of Dr Maria Skyllas-Kazacos as an alternative to the Fe/Cr chemistry originally proposed by NASA.

Can polymeric membranes be used in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRB)?

This review on the various approaches to prepare polymeric membranes for the application in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRB) reveals various factors which should be considered when developing new membranes materials with or without the addition of non-polymeric materials.