Design flexibility of redox flow systems

The characteristics inherent in Redox flow systems permit considerable latitude in designing systems for specific storage applications. The first of these characteristics is the absence of plating/deplating reactions with their attendant morphology changes at the electrodes. The second characteristic is the separation of power generating components (stacks) from the energy storage components (tanks). The final characteristic is the commonality of the reactant fluids which assures that all cells at all times are receiving reactants at the same state-of-charge. Consideration is given to a number of applications, each of which takes advantage of one or more of the inherent characteristics of Redox flow systems. These various applications span a spectrum of power and energy requirements from small, uninterruptable power supplies, through stand-alone photovoltaic and wind sites to electric utility central stations. Finally, an update on the status of the NASA Lewis Redox system technology will be provided, focusing upon electrode and membrane developments and system cost projections.