REDOX ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAMMES

Specifically, it is the aim of the project to achieve:

• An active domestic EMS system with a charge/discharge

efficiency greater than 80%, thereby providing a commercially
viable system using both renewable energy sources and/or
grid-connected power.

• A 10kW, 20kWh REDOX home-based energy storage system

providing 24-hour uninterruptible power supply.

• An EMS providing a vehicle range per charge of more than

twice that achievable by conventional lead acid batteries and
that can be refuelled in a vehicle in a few minutes.

Proposed Diabline airport electric tow-truck with REDOX fuel cell power
(courtesy NagaroSA)
CONTRACTOR
E-fuel Technology Ltd
Tattershall House
OBJECTIVES 19 St Catherine’s Road
Grantham
• To develop low-cost energy storage using a regenerative fuel Lincolnshire
cell (as a very much more efficient alternative to a battery) for NG31 6TT
use in active, domestic energy management systems (EMSs) Tel: +44 (0)1264 737510
and electric vehicles. Fax: +44 (0)1264 737511
(Contract Number: F/03/00238/00/00)
• To improve the charge/discharge efficiency, physical
characteristics (eg size, weight) and reliability of these energy
storage systems. COLLABORATORS
• To optimise the commercial benefits of the technology in the Energy for Sustainable Development
current market environment, to allow the fuel cells to be Overmoor, Neston
successfully used as widely as possible. Corsham
Wiltshire SN13 9TZ
Tel: +44 (0)1225 812102
SUMMARY Fax:+44 (0)1225 812103
Economic use of renewable energy in both stationary power and Utility Link Ltd (UK)
transport applications requires efficient storage of this energy. This 16 Avon Reach
would allow storage, when demand is low (and exceeded by Monkton Hill
supply), and consumption at times of peak (higher than supply) Chippenham
demand, without unacceptable losses. Currently available Wiltshire SN15 1EE
batteries and hydrogen fuel cells do not meet the requirement, as
a large fraction of energy is lost through their charge and Greenergy Ltd
discharge. Energy storage systems also need to have high energy 1 Adam Street
density so as not to be overly large or heavy. London W2CN 6AN

In this way, intermittent renewable sources can be coupled with an

efficient storage device to produce dependable power on demand. COST
The creation of such a system has the potential to increase uptake
of renewable energy generation technologies. The total cost of this project is £544,752, with the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) and E-fuel each contributing £272,376
The low-cost energy storage REDOX fuel cell proposed in this (50%).
project consists of Vanadium (II) and Bromine electrolytes that can
be rapidly recharged by electricity and re-entered into the fuel cell.
A turn-round efficiency of 80% is expected, far exceeding the DURATION
current and foreseeable performance of hydrogen fuel cells. This
innovative fuel cell can be used in the domestic sector (as part of 25 months - March 2001 to March 2003.
an EMS) as well as to increase the viability of fuel cell power for
depot-based vehicles such as airport trucks. A central recharging
station would supply fully charged electrolyte and accept and
Further renewable energy information from
recharge electrolyte that has been used. the Sustainable Energy Programmes, and copies
of publications, can be obtained from:
The project will be conducted in two phases, with Phase 1 being
Renewable Energy Helpline
the development of a fuel cell that can meet the technological
Tel: +44 (0)1235 432450
output requirements and Phase 2 being the optimisation of this in
E-mail: NRE-enquiries@aeat.co.uk
terms of size and lifetime. Phase 2 will only begin after successful
Web: www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/index.html
completion of Phase 1.

Project
Department of Trade and Industry Profile
MARCH 2002
Publication Code RPP116
DTI/Pub URN 02/677 116