Abstract: A modular flow battery includes a battery stack container housing a plurality of redox flow battery stacks in fluid communication with at least one pair of electrolyte containers including an anolyte container for holding an anolyte and a catholyte container for holding a catholyte. Additional pairs of electrolyte containers can be connected to the battery stack container to increase an amount of energy that can be stored by the modular flow battery system. Respective housings enclosing each of the battery stack container and the electrolyte containers are configured for operation in a stacked configuration. In this manner, the energy storage capacity of the modular flow battery system can be further increased with substantially no increase in a lateral area occupied by the system.

Abstract: A modular flow battery includes a battery stack container housing a plurality of redox flow battery stacks in fluid communication with at least one pair of electrolyte containers including an anolyte container for holding an anolyte and a catholyte container for holding a catholyte. Additional pairs of electrolyte containers can be connected to the battery stack container to increase an amount of energy that can be stored by the modular flow battery system. Respective housings enclosing each of the battery stack container and the electrolyte containers are configured for operation in a stacked configuration. In this manner, the energy storage capacity of the modular flow battery system can be further increased with substantially no increase in a lateral area occupied by the system.

Abstract: A modular flow battery includes a battery stack container housing a plurality of redox flow battery stacks in fluid communication with at least one pair of electrolyte containers including an anolyte container for holding an anolyte and a catholyte container for holding a catholyte. Additional pairs of electrolyte containers can be connected to the battery stack container to increase an amount of energy that can be stored by the modular flow battery system. Respective housings enclosing each of the battery stack container and the electrolyte containers are configured for operation in a stacked configuration. In this manner, the energy storage capacity of the modular flow battery system can be further increased with substantially no increase in a lateral area occupied by the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing modular and scalable flow batteries are disclosed. The modular design can utilize the ability of flow batteries to separate power, provided by a battery stack, from energy, provided by a stored electrolyte. Power of the system can be determined by a number of battery cell stacks, while stored energy capacity of the system can be determined by how much electrolyte is available for use by the battery cell stacks. Catholyte and anolyte solutions can be stored in pipes having an adjustable length. Electrolyte storage capacity can be increased by increasing the length of the pipes by an amount sufficient to provide a desired increase in electrolyte storage. Alternatively, electrolyte storage capacity can be decreased by decreasing the length of the pipes.

Abstract: A flow battery system is provided that has at least one cell stack and at least a pair of storage containers or tanks connected to the at least one cell stack. Each of the storage containers is formed from a rigid (e.g., metal) shell and includes a liner directly bonded to inner walls of the rigid shell and forming an enclosure configured to retain a liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte can be an anolyte or catholyte. In the assembled configuration, the metal shell of the storage container provides secondary containment whereas the liner directly bonded thereto provides primary containment. The flow battery system includes a fault detection system configured to detect a presence of a fault or leak and further to determine a location of that leak in the flow battery system, such as a storage container or a specific portion of the storage container.

Abstract: A modular flow battery includes a battery stack container housing a plurality of redox flow battery stacks in fluid communication with at least one pair of electrolyte containers including an anolyte container for holding an anolyte and a catholyte container for holding a catholyte. Additional pairs of electrolyte containers can be connected to the battery stack container to increase an amount of energy that can be stored by the modular flow battery system. Respective housings enclosing each of the battery stack container and the electrolyte containers are configured for operation in a stacked configuration. In this manner, the energy storage capacity of the modular flow battery system can be further increased with substantially no increase in a lateral area occupied by the system.

Abstract: A flow battery system is provided that has at least one cell stack and at least a pair of storage containers or tanks connected to the at least one cell stack. Each of the storage containers is formed from a rigid (e.g., metal) shell and includes a liner directly bonded to inner walls of the rigid shell and forming an enclosure configured to retain a liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte can be an anolyte or catholyte. In the assembled configuration, the metal shell of the storage container provides secondary containment whereas the liner directly bonded thereto provides primary containment. The flow battery system includes a fault detection system configured to detect a presence of a fault or leak and further to determine a location of that leak in the flow battery system, such as a storage container or a specific portion of the storage container.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing modular and scalable flow batteries are disclosed. The modular design can utilize the ability of flow batteries to separate power, provided by a battery stack, from energy, provided by a stored electrolyte. Power of the system can be determined by a number of battery cell stacks, while stored energy capacity of the system can be determined by how much electrolyte is available for use by the battery cell stacks. Catholyte and anolyte solutions can be stored in pipes having an adjustable length. Electrolyte storage capacity can be increased by increasing the length of the pipes by an amount sufficient to provide a desired increase in electrolyte storage. Alternatively, electrolyte storage capacity can be decreased by decreasing the length of the pipes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, valve efficiency and reliability are enhanced via use of hydraulic or magnetic valve actuation, valves configured for increased actuation speed, and/or valves controlled to reduce collision forces during actuation.

Abstract: In various embodiments, motor-pump efficiency is increased by limiting the fluid pressure communicated to the motor-pump to a range smaller than that communicated by other components of an energy storage and/or recovery system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, motor-pump efficiency is increased by limiting the fluid pressure communicated to the motor-pump to a range smaller than that communicated by other components of an energy storage and/or recovery system.