MIT Researchers Develop New Type of Battery That Promises to Revolutionize Energy Storage for Solar and Wind Power

Written by Valdemar Medeiros

Published on 14/12/2021 at 10:54

Baterias de fluxo semissólido – foto: Reprodução/MIT

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MIT Researchers Developed A New Battery Focused On Solar And Wind Energy Storage Systems That May Be More Economical And Efficient Than Conventional Batteries

MIT researchers created a new type of battery that promises to innovate storage systems for clean energy sources such as solar and wind energy. The semi-solid flow cell uses a mixture containing dispersed manganese dioxide particles with an electrical conductive additive known as “carbon black.” Together, these compounds allow for the conversion of electrochemical electricity by reacting with other elements in aqueous suspension or zinc plates, enabling the creation of flow batteries with more effective, reliable, and long-lasting electricity retention systems than those manufactured today.

Learn How The New MIT Solar And Wind Energy Battery Works

*Flow Battery Operation Diagram (Image: MIT)*

According to Emre Gencer, co-author of the MIT study, the transition to sustainable energies such as wind and solar necessitates batteries with different durations, that operate properly when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining.

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What Is Carbon Black?

*Carbon Black (Image: Wikipedia Commons/Terminalia)*

According to Thaneer Narayanan, chemical engineer and lead author of the MIT study, for storage options lasting longer than a day, the architecture of flow batteries suggests they could be a more cost-effective option. There is the possibility to recharge the solution in the tanks using solar or wind energy sources, making the system carbon-free.

According to Thaneer, carbon black is a paste that adds pigment and electrical strength to the mixture. With this, the system is able to flow under reasonable pressures, maintaining a weak flow limit so that the active manganese particles do not settle in the flow tanks when the system is in use.

MIT Researchers Make Comparisons

To demonstrate that zinc-manganese batteries are economical, researchers compared them with other electrochemical cells and hydrogen-based storage systems. Analyses were conducted over durations of 8, 24, and 72 hours.

Over intervals longer than a day, the semi-solid flow battery surpassed the energy retention capacity of common vanadium redox flow cells and lithium-ion systems. It maintained low cost and efficiency, even considering all expenses related to pumping the manganese paste from the storage tank to the cell.

MIT Researchers Develop New Type of Battery That Promises to Revolutionize Energy Storage for Solar and Wind Power

MIT Researchers Developed A New Battery Focused On Solar And Wind Energy Storage Systems That May Be More Economical And Efficient Than Conventional Batteries

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Learn How The New MIT Solar And Wind Energy Battery Works

What Is Carbon Black?

MIT Researchers Make Comparisons

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MIT Researchers Develop New Type of Battery That Promises to Revolutionize Energy Storage for Solar and Wind Power

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MIT Researchers Make Comparisons

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China has begun the second phase of energy assistance to Cuba with a 120 MW solar generation plan, and the first result is a photovoltaic park with batteries that regulates voltage, controls frequency, and provides local autonomy to an island suffocated by chronic blackouts.

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