SBIR Phase II: Hydrogen Bromine Electrolysis for Highly Efficient Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage and High Value Chemical Applications

这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括各种应用，包括高峰负荷转移、可再生能源投入的电网缓冲、频率调节和化学转换。随着可再生能源在电网中所占比例的增加，储能将成为稳定供需的关键。目前，由于无法在发电高峰期捕获能量，20%-40%的风能经常搁浅。德国、欧洲、日本、韩国和其他国家正在为能源储存项目提供大量资金。能量储存也是美国所有武装部队的一项关键需求，包括前方行动基地的微电网。虽然电池可以表现出非常好的往返效率，但它们存在自放电、容量衰减和成本高的问题。液流电池将反应物和产品存储与电极有源区分开，只需增加存储空间即可实现更高的容量。由于能量密度值低，许多系统在过去并不实用，但燃料电池和电解的发展提供了获得更高能量密度的途径。这些领域的进展将带来直接的商业利益，并解决与能源安全、电网稳定和弹性相关的关键战略领域。该第二阶段研究项目的目标是：1)在两种运行模式下平衡流体分布和最大限度地减少分流电流的流场设计；2)根据可逆性、耐用性和效率要求选择催化剂和膜；3)将质子组件与可持续创新实施例硬件进行集成和测试；4)在SI的两种模式下扩大到全尺寸堆叠和操作；以及5)在最终配置的基础上与SI合作开发性能模型。这些目标解决了目前能量存储解决方案中的局限性。虽然传统电池可以表现出非常好的往返效率，但它们存在自放电、容量衰减和成本高的问题。液流电池将反应物和产品存储与电极有源区分开，只需增加存储空间即可实现更高的容量。由于能量密度值低，许多系统在过去并不实用，但燃料电池和电解的发展提供了获得更高能量密度的途径。这些领域的进展将带来直接的商业利益，并解决与能源安全、电网稳定和弹性相关的关键战略领域。预期的结果将是一个高效、耐用的高功率密度液流电池系统。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project includes applications ranging from peak load shifting, grid buffering for renewable energy input, frequency regulation, and chemical conversions. As the percentage of energy from renewables on the grid increases, energy storage will be essential to stabilize the supply and demand. Currently, 20-40% of wind energy is often stranded due to the inability to capture the energy in the peak generation periods. Germany, Europe, Japan, Korea, and other countries are funding significant efforts in energy storage projects. Energy storage is also a critical need for all of the United States armed services, including microgrids for forward operating bases. While batteries can demonstrate very good round trip efficiencies, they suffer from self-discharge, capacity fade, and high cost. Flow batteries separate the reactant and product storage from the electrode active area, enabling higher capacities through merely adding more storage. Many systems have not been practical in the past due to low energy density values, but fuel cell and electrolysis developments have provided pathways to higher energy density. Advances in these areas would find immediate commercial interest, and address key strategic areas related to energy security and grid stabilization and resiliency. The objectives of this Phase II research project are: 1) flow field design for balanced fluid distribution in both operating modes and minimization of shunt currents; 2) selection of catalysts and membranes for reversibility, durability and efficiency requirements; 3) integration and testing of Proton components with the Sustainable Innovations embodiment hardware; 4) scale up to a full size stack and operation in both modes at SI; and 5) development of a performance model in collaboration with SI based on the final configuration. These objectives address present limitations in energy storage solutions. While traditional batteries can demonstrate very good round trip efficiencies, they suffer from self-discharge, capacity fade, and high cost. Flow batteries separate the reactant and product storage from the electrode active area, enabling higher capacities through merely adding more storage. Many systems have not been practical in the past due to low energy density values, but fuel cell and electrolysis developments have provided pathways to higher energy density. Advances in these areas would find immediate commercial interest, and address key strategic areas related to energy security and grid stabilization and resiliency. The anticipated result will be a highly efficient, durable flow battery system with high power density.