Working with key partners in the UK and stakeholders in Africa, this project will develop a low-cost (<$100/kWh), soluble lead flow battery to promote grid stability and secure, clean supply in off-grid generation in Developing Economies in Africa, including Botswana and Sierra Leone.
Electrochemical energy storage systems can provide grid stability and efficient energy vectoring in areas where demand is increasing but supply is restricted. A unique advantage of the proposed battery is the ability to use recycled conventional automotive batteries for its manufacture, thereby creating a local supply chain and servicing capability. To guide system design and aid in cost reductions, a techno-economic assessment of the soluble lead flow battery using the new electrolyte system will be performed in parallel with experimental developments thereby fast-tracking best approaches.
An overview of the RELCoBatt project is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kelEnWIwRNE