US Military to Test Mission Critical Ability of Dry Deployment Flow Battery

November 25, 2016

This story originally published on Energy Storage Publishing on 11/25/2016

The US Army Corps of Engineers is to test an all-iron flow battery (IFB) to its limits after a firm delivered a 60kW/225kWh system.

Portland, US-based firm Energy Storage Systems Inc’s (ESS) battery will have its ability to handle long-duration storage in Forward Operating Bases (FOB) tested as part of an integrated microgrid.

The US chose the battery because it can be shipped to the destination in a dry state, with water added on location. This reduces the weight of the transported battery by 60% compared to other flow or traditional batteries, said ESS.

The firm also claims its battery can reach more than 20,000 cycles at more than 80% depth of discharge during a 25-year-life because the battery’s electrolyte operates within a benign pH range of 1 to 4.

The technology also uses earth abundant iron chloride (FeCl2) as its electrolyte, as well as salt and water, to keep costs below $20/kWh.

If the test proves successful it could pave the way for introducing renewables and reducing reliance on generators in FOBs, said Tom Decker, program manager, US Army Corps of Engineers.

The IFB will serve the FOB, with the generator only be called upon to recharge the battery when needed.

Tags:
energy storage systems
us
Army Corps of Engineers
all-iron flow battery (IFB)

Links to third-party articles and/or websites are for general information purposes only and the content of any third-party article or website is solely the responsibility of the author, owner, operator or publisher of that article and/or website. Views expressed in third-party articles and/or websites reflect the opinion of the author, owner, operator or publisher as of the date of publication, and not necessarily those of ESS Tech, Inc. ESS Tech, Inc. has not independently verified such content, makes no warranties, representations or undertakings relating to such content, and bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of any external site or for that of subsequent links. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. You are encouraged to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies on the specific site you are entering. ESS Tech, Inc. disclaims any loss, damage and any other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from or relating to your access to the third-party website or any information you may provide or any transaction conducted on or via the third-party website or the failure of any information, goods or services posted or offered at the third-party website or any error, omission or misrepresentation on the third-party website or any computer virus arising from or system failure associated with the third-party website.