Aqueous copper-based flow batteries for renewables integration and sustainable energy storage

On 11^th March 2021, Giampaolo Lacarbonara from University of Bologna, presented an overview of the CuBER project through the paper “Aqueous copper-based flow batteries for renewables integration and sustainable energy storage“.

Abstract:

The H2020 CuBER Project, coordinated by Aarhus University, proposes the validation of an all-copper redox flow battery (CuRFB) based on the three oxidation states of copper. CuRFB exhibits a modular design, scalability, nontoxic, and earth-abundant materials. In this system, the redox couples are Cu2+/Cu+ in the positive half-cell and Cu+/Cu(0) in the negative one and the highly concentrated chloride medium brings to the formation of chloro-complexes that stabilize the redox species. In order to improve the cell performance, it is crucial to balance the concentration of the copper species, the electrode surface area, the operating temperature, and the presence of different complexing agents and additives.