SPACER · Shaping Porous Electrode Architecture to Improve Current Density and Energy Efficiency in Redox Flow Batteries

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Project objective

The energy transition has increased demand for energy storage, including long-duration storage solutions like redox-flow batteries (RFBs). But RFBs are limited by a high levelized cost of storage, due in part to inefficient electrode use and the lack of tailored RFB components.SPACER will develop high-power-density electrodes for RFBs, with a max. power density of ca. 1Acm-2 and energy efficiencies >85-90% at relevant current densities (20-30% higher than conventional electrodes). The expected cost is up to 50% less than conventional electrodes.SPACER’s approach is the use of hierarchical structures, i.e. complex multilayer materials. Work will entail:• Multiscale modelling to better understand RFB behavior and identify hierarchically shaped pore structures for optimum electrolyte and electric flow• Prototyping of the modelled structures via stereolithic (micro-), 3D printing (meso-) and textile (macroscale) techniques • Characterization of prototypes via cutting-edge imaging techniques like EPR to validate the models and electrode performanceThree development cycles (micro-, meso- and macroscale) will provide insight into complex interactions and optimal material structures, and culminate in electrodes validated in mini-stacks by industrial partner PIN (TRL6). The intended applications are established (vanadium) and next-gen (HBr) RFBs.SPACER will give 17 DCs a unique skill set spanning electrochemistry, modelling, material science and cell engineering. The employability of the DCs will be further enhanced by high-quality individual training in scientific and soft skills, and structured network training units moving them from theoretical investigations toward industrial application. The involvement of 2 industrial beneficiaries and a non-funded Industrial Board, secondments in applied research and industry, and a strong training emphasis on market needs will equip the DCs with the intersectoral skills needed for a career in electrochemical energy storage.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV · MunchenCoordinatorGermany
• AvCarb Material Solutions LLC · LowellUnited States
• BRUKER BIOSPIN GMBH & CO KG · ETTLINGENGermany
• CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB · GoteborgSweden
• DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
• E-Storage Engineering srl · Legnago VRItaly
• ELESTOR BV · ARNHEMNetherlands
• Fureho AB · GoteborgSweden
• GOLIN WISSENSCHAFTSMANAGEMENT, Dr. Simon GolinGermany
• PINFLOW ENERGY STORAGE, S.R.O. · PrahaCzechia
• TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN · EindhovenNetherlands
• THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND · BrisbaneAustralia
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA · PadovaItaly
• UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK · InnsbruckAustria
• UNIVERSITAT BAYREUTH · BayreuthGermany
• UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES · SydneyAustralia
• UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART · StuttgartGermany
• VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA V PRAZE · PRAHACzechia
• VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNE · BRNO STREDCzechia
• Volterion GmbH · DortmundGermany
• ZURCHER HOCHSCHULE FUR ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTEN · WinterthurSwitzerland

Links

• View on CORDIS