Solar Lattice

Concept

Flow battery

ID
concept:flow-battery
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/concept/flow-battery
Status
active
Also known as
redox flow battery, pumped electrolyte ESS
Category
Storage
Concept kind
technology

A flow battery is a storage component that works somewhat like a fuel cell: its active materials are liquid electrolytes kept in tanks outside the reactor. In use, the electrolytes move back and forth between the reactor and the storage tanks, so the system relies on pumps, other fluid handling equipment and flow controls. Two commercial types exist: zinc bromine and vanadium redox. A vanadium redox battery holds vanadium salts in a sulfuric acid electrolyte, and charging or discharging changes the oxidation state of the vanadium. In a zinc bromine battery, charging stores energy as zinc metal in the cell and as polybromide in the cathode reservoir. On discharge the zinc is oxidized and the bromine is reduced to bromide. During maintenance, wear the right protection when handling or topping up electrolyte, and watch for exposed pump parts or fans that are missing their guards.

<!-- review notes

Claims

related_to

c1 drafted · lead Battery energy storage system

A flow battery is an energy storage component used in an ESS.

c2 drafted · lead Battery electrolyte exposure

Vanadium redox electrolyte is sulfuric-acid based and zinc bromide electrolyte is corrosive and toxic (NFPA 704 hazard level 3); exposure risk during electrolyte handling, maintenance or spills.

c3 verified · fact Vented battery gas

Under abnormal overheating, corrosive liquids can boil off or off-gas flammable gases such as hydrogen.

verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24

c4 drafted · lead Moving parts

Exposed pump parts or fans with missing guards can present physical hazards under abnormal conditions.

Data