PERFORMANCE MODELING OF REDOX FLOW BATTERIES

摘要

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are an emerging electrochemical energy storage system which shows great promise in grid-scale energy storage applications (e.g., renewable energy storage, peak shaving, and electric utility load leveling) due to their flexible design and ability to efficiently store large amounts of energy. They can operate at high energy efficiency (70-85%) and have long cycle life (1,000+ cycles) (1,2). Despite these advantages, much research is required to improve the electrochemical performance, durability, energy storage capacity and affordability of these systems. Especially, studies that focus on cycle life behavior, scale-up and system optimization are critically important and needed for their widespread implementation. Due to the high cost and lengthy time requirements of experimental studies, to date, these issues have been studied through the development of mathematical models. Existing models in literature are generally based on the macroscopic approaches adopted from PEM fuel cells due to the similarity of these systems. Conceptually, RFBs represent a new paradigm to battery scientists, as they require a systematic understanding of the electrolyte flow mechanism, in addition to materials involved, and physicochemical processes that take place in redox cells. Therefore, a set of new modeling frameworks are needed that accurately mimics the physical phenomenon inside these systems.