Flow Batteries Expand Grid Storage Options

Flow batteries are advancing as an alternative to lithium-ion systems for storing intermittent wind and solar power at grid and facility scale.

Research and commercial partnerships are targeting lower-cost, longer-lived and less fire-prone chemistries, including all-iron and quinone electrolytes, while large deployments and laboratory results indicate progress. Commercial adoption still depends on validating performance outside the laboratory, improving testing consistency and resolving manufacturing and incentive requirements.