Innovation for energy storage & renewables integration
The search for competitive energy storage is linked to the transition towards renewable energy solutions. The all-copper redox flow battery (CuRFB), based on RFB technology, is designed in a simple, modular and scalable way and offers security and sustainability. The EU-funded CUBER project will prove that RFB technology can be integrated into Smart Cities and residential self-consumption market segments. Its development could allow wider applications such as back-up power system in isolated areas, for energy management and grid balancing in renewable energy plants. The project coordinates a wide range of European actors in aiming to develop operating pilots that will confirm and introduce innovative methods to produce and consume renewable energy in urban, rural and industrial sites.
Objective
The CuBER project proposes the validation of a promising RFB technology, the all-copper redox flow battery (CuRFB), able to cover a wide range of the aforementioned market applications due to its simple, modular and scalable design, security and sustainability. Firstly, a 5kWDC CuRFB pilot will be designed for its integration in Smart Cities and residential self-consumption market segments within the CuBER action. Subsequently, the planning of further developments will allow its application at larger scales, both as back-up power system in isolated areas (i.e. copper mining) and for energy management and grid balancing in renewable power production.
CuBER thus focuses first on improving the infrastructures for renewables self-consumption and grid integration within the Smart Cities and Net Zero Buildings concepts. It seeks to unify the expertise of different European actors in the field of Electrochemistry, Electrochemical Energy Storage, Electronics, Process Engineering, Smart Sensors, IoT´s and Solar Power Industries with the objective of deploying functional pilots capable of validating an holistic and innovative way of producing and consuming renewable energy in urban, rural and industrial areas all around the EU, that will change the actual O&M paradigm, increasing significantly the competitiveness of RFB energy storage solutions in the global energy sector and creating new business opportunities for the companies involved.