Game Changer: Organic flow batteries using liquid electrolytes

Energy storage units are becoming an elementary factor in the energy transition. Organic flow batteries are made of organic materials. Those can be a game-changer for the method of storing green energy safely and environmentally friendly in large quantities.

Organic flow batteries (by CM Blu; https://www.cmblu.com/en/technology/) are the first of their kind to be developed for commercial use. The technology is based on readily available, fully recyclable, organic materials. The aqueous electrolytes are non-flammable and ensure absolutely safe and reliable operation. The batteries are freely scalable between output and capacity. They can therefore be precisely adapted to the individual requirements of the corresponding application with corresponding cost advantages. The system-inherent separation of electrolyte and actual energy converter not only avoids the effect of self-discharge, but also enables the restoration of the original performance by simply replacing individual components instead of the entire battery.

Flow batteries store electrical energy in liquid electrolytes instead of with solid electrodes. The electrolytes are stored in external tanks and pumped through the battery stacks in a constant flow during charging and discharging. Organic flow batteries are based on a new approach. Instead of metal ions, electrolytes made of carbon compounds are being used. Carbon is the core element of flow reactions, which have been optimized by evolution over billions of years and have kept organic cells alive for just as long. The use of organic electrolytes enables a particularly efficient, durable and sustainable electricity storage technology.

Last but not least, in addition to innovative electrolytes, the batteries also have a scalable design. The result is a high-performance organic flow battery specially designed for storing large amounts of electricity.