Enhanced longevity of electrochemical energy systems

与人类对长寿和健康生活的渴望类似，我们能源供应的寿命是我们社会可持续性的关键属性。在这种情况下，寿命是指能源系统在排放和资源使用方面的可持续性以及系统内使用的设备的寿命。这两个特点都是通过对能源系统进行“从摇篮到坟墓”的生命周期评估来捕捉的。无论选择哪种技术，用于能量存储和转换的设备的长寿命都是绝对必要的，以便最大限度地减少能源系统对环境的影响。 预计电化学能量系统将在从基于化石燃料的能量系统向基于可再生和替代能源的可持续“绿色”社会的转变中发挥关键作用。电化学能量存储和转换系统，如电池和燃料电池，提供了两个非常有利的系统级特征：1）能源效率的变革水平; 2）使用点的零排放。与现有技术相比，这些特点转化为减少全球温室气体排放和改善我们社区的空气质量。然而，与任何新兴技术一样，长寿挑战可能会对社区的广泛接受构成风险。 因此，拟议研究计划的总体目标是提高用于电化学能量存储和转换的设备的寿命，重点是燃料电池，氧化还原液流电池和电解槽。这些进步不仅将对能源系统的可持续性产生积极影响，而且还将大大降低总拥有成本，加快商业化和市场部署的速度。该研究计划的长期愿景是转移新知识和技术，并与加拿大不断发展的清洁技术行业合作，开发和商业化市场上最耐用，最可靠的电化学能量转换和存储系统。更重要的是，这项研究将培养下一代工程师，他们将为这个行业提供未来的劳动力。总体而言，电化学能源系统市场渗透率的增加将大大减少加拿大及其他地区城市地区的温室气体排放和污染。

Similar to the human desire of a long and healthy life, the longevity of our energy supply is a critical attribute for the sustainability of our society. Longevity, in this context, refers to both the sustainability of the energy system in terms of emissions and resource use as well as the lifetime of the devices that are used within the system. Both characteristics are captured by a "cradle-to-grave" lifecycle assessment of the energy system. Regardless of the choice of technology, a long lifetime of the devices used for energy storage and conversion is absolutely essential in order to minimize the impact of the energy system on the environment. Electrochemical energy systems are anticipated to play a key role in the transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable and alternative energy based sustainable "green" society. Electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems such as batteries and fuel cells offer two highly favorable system level characteristics: 1) a transformative level of energy efficiency; and 2) zero emissions at the point of use. When compared to incumbent technologies, these characteristics translate into reduced greenhouse gas emissions on the global level and improved air quality in our communities. However, as with any new emerging technology, longevity challenges may pose a risk for widespread community acceptance. The overall goal of the proposed research program is therefore to enhance the longevity of the devices used for electrochemical energy storage and conversion, focusing on fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and electrolyzers. Such advancements will not only have a positive impact on the sustainability of the energy system but will also greatly reduce the total cost of ownership and accelerate the rate of commercialization and market deployment. The long-term vision of this research program is to transfer the new knowledge and technologies and team up with the growing cleantech industry in Canada to develop and commercialize the most durable and reliable electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems on the market. More importantly, this research will train the next generation engineers who will provide the future workforce of this industry. Overall, increased market penetration of electrochemical energy systems will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in urban areas in Canada and beyond.