Fully-automated Testing of Redoxflow Batteries

28 July 2011 - The German supplier FuelCon AG has enhanced its product range of fully-automated testing stations with a new system for redoxflow batteries. The test station can be used for material characterization and life cycle testing of redoxflow batteries.

With increasing use of renewable and locally generated energy, also the demand for more efficient utilization of grid capacities including prevention of congestions, as well as bigger grid integrated energy storage systems comes more and more in the focus of research. As very promising energy storage system, the technology of redoxflow batteries is setting the course to the future. Currently, the redoxflow battery is the only storage medium on the market that allows independently scaling of energy density and power. In addition, they provide high energy efficiency as well as long life time, and can be easily designed. Thus, this technology is especially attractive for stationary applications with power ranges up to several megawatts.

Based on years of experience and extensive know-how in the engineering of fullyautomated testing systems for fuel cells and batteries, FuelCon AG has now developed a test station for material characterization and life cycle testing of redoxflow batteries.

Under defined operating conditions, such as flow rate or temperature, the test station ensures flexible performance of charge / discharge operations for different redoxflow systems. The evaluation of different redox pairs enables gaining valuable information for optimizing the electrolyte composition which, together with the cell voltage, essentially affects the energy density. In dependence of the battery size, the test station is either equipped with air or water-cooled charge / discharge units or with grid feedback charge / discharge units. This assures not only ideal load management during charge / discharge operations, but also perfect customization for existing laboratory infrastructures.

www.fuelcon.com