Carbon Dioxide Redox Flow Battery: A Promising Technology for Sustainable Energy Storage

TLDRAgora Energy has developed a carbon dioxide redox flow battery that uses captured CO2 as its energy store. The battery has a high energy density and low cost, making it a compelling option for stationary energy storage. The unique feature of this battery is its ability to produce carbonates and bicarbonates, valuable industrial commodities, during the discharging process. However, the technology is still in the laboratory stage and requires further investment for commercialization.

Key insights

🔋Agora Energy has developed a carbon dioxide redox flow battery with high energy density and low cost.

♻️The battery uses captured CO2 as its energy store and produces valuable industrial commodities during the discharging process.

💡The carbon dioxide redox flow battery offers a carbon negative method of energy storage.

💰Capturing one metric tonne of CO2 costs between $30 and $100, significantly cheaper than metals used in traditional flow batteries.

🌍The carbon dioxide redox flow battery has the potential to help grid operators integrate renewable energy sources.

Q&A

What is a redox flow battery?

A redox flow battery is an energy storage system where energy is derived from a metal-based solution held in large storage tanks. It provides longer duration storage and is suitable for integrating renewable energy sources.

What makes the Agora Energy redox flow battery unique?

The Agora Energy redox flow battery uses captured carbon dioxide as its energy store, which is a carbon negative method of energy storage. It also produces valuable industrial commodities during the discharging process.

What is the energy density of the carbon dioxide redox flow battery?

According to laboratory tests, the carbon dioxide redox flow battery has a specific energy density of 284 Wh/kg, which is three times higher than a typical vanadium flow battery.

How much does it cost to capture CO2 for the battery?

Capturing one metric tonne of CO2 costs between $30 and $100, making it significantly cheaper than metals used in traditional flow batteries.

When will the Agora Energy redox flow battery be available for commercial use?

The technology is still in the laboratory stage and requires further investment for commercialization. There is currently no specific timeline for its availability.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Agora Energy has developed a carbon dioxide redox flow battery with high energy density and low cost.

01:17The battery uses captured CO2 as its energy store and produces valuable industrial commodities during the discharging process.

03:06The carbon dioxide redox flow battery offers a carbon negative method of energy storage.

08:12Capturing one metric tonne of CO2 costs between $30 and $100, significantly cheaper than metals used in traditional flow batteries.

09:43The carbon dioxide redox flow battery has the potential to help grid operators integrate renewable energy sources.