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

这个小企业创新研究第二阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括从高峰负荷转移，可再生能源输入的电网缓冲，频率调节和化学转化等应用。 随着可再生能源在电网中所占比例的增加，储能对于稳定供需至关重要。 目前，20-40%的风能由于无法在发电高峰期捕获能量而被搁浅。 德国、欧洲、日本、韩国和其他国家正在为储能项目提供大量资金。 储能也是美国所有军种的关键需求，包括前沿作战基地的微电网。 虽然电池可以表现出非常好的往返效率，但它们遭受自放电、容量衰减和高成本。 液流电池将反应物和产物存储与电极活性区域分离，仅通过增加更多存储来实现更高的容量。 由于低能量密度值，许多系统在过去并不实用，但是燃料电池和电解的发展提供了通向更高能量密度的途径。 这些领域的进展将立即产生商业利益，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）在两种操作模式下平衡流体分布和分流电流最小化的流场设计; 2）根据可逆性、耐久性和效率要求选择催化剂和膜; 3）将Proton组件与可持续创新实施例硬件集成和测试; 4）在SI放大到全尺寸堆栈并在两种模式下操作;以及5）基于最终配置与SI合作开发性能模型。 这些目标解决了目前储能解决方案的局限性。 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、容量衰减和高成本的问题。 液流电池将反应物和产物存储与电极活性区域分离，仅通过增加更多存储来实现更高的容量。 由于低能量密度值，许多系统在过去并不实用，但是燃料电池和电解的发展提供了通向更高能量密度的途径。 这些领域的进展将立即产生商业利益，并解决与能源安全、电网稳定和弹性相关的关键战略领域。 预期的结果将是具有高功率密度的高效、耐用的液流电池系统。

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.