S WOT

ANALYSIS OF

FLOW BATTERIES

Renewable energy are able to supply significant amount of

electrical energy around the World. For exploitation of their
complete potential Electrical Energy Storage is not only desired
but compulsory. EES are in variety in power and energy
densities, response time and quality.
Batteries and flow
batteries differ in two main aspects. In a battery, the electroactive materials are stored internally, and the electrodes at
which the energy conversion reactions occur are themselves
part of the electrochemical fuel.
In a flow batteries the
chemical energy in the electro-active materials convert directly
to electrical energy and these are stored mostly externally in an
electrolyte and also introduced into device only during
operation. THIS analysis is purposefully pen down to provide
the acquaintance to the reader for deriving it's actual benefit.
We are giving here SWOT breakup of the flow batteries:

STRENGTH:(i)
Complete separation of power and energy as needed by
user
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(ii) Electrodes does not take part in electrochemical fuel and

no physical and chemical change takes place
(iii) Stable and durable performance for hertz control etc.
(iv) Long life i.e. 10 years/20years/25years or more as per
need
(v)

Capital cost can be amortized over a longer period

(vi) Energy density as determined by size of tank

(vii) Storing of active materials separately from the reactive
point source
(viii) High efficiency
(IX) Low maintenance (minimal)
(X) Tolerance to overcharge and over discharge - no negative
impact
(XI) Modular system incremental rise and packaging as per
demand
(XII) No thermal run away i.e. no deration with rise in
temperature
(XIII) Benign Electrode and ready availability
(XIV) Simplified friendly control
(XV) Accelerate utility scale renewable
integration(Wind+Solar+Bio)
(XVI) Maintains excellent support for grid stability and peak
shaving etc
(XVII)
Liquid which is electrolyte in this battery is
replaceable at a fraction of cost to give new life
(XVIII)
Time of use arbitrage i.e. fill the flow when power is
cheap and drain when pricey and earn profit life long
(XIX) Fast response time
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(XX) Minimal degradation

(XXI) Ability to stand at partial state of charge
(XXII)

Not flammable explosive or corrosive

(XXIII)
No toxic component or noxious fume, no
environmental problem
(XXIV)

Multiple duty cycle on daily basis

(XXV)

Foot print most suited for industrial sites

(XXVI)

100% DOD with absolutely no system damage

(XXVII)No daily rebalancing for charge control or electrode

reconditioning

WEAKNESS:(i)
Most complicated system requirement of pumps, sensors,
flow and power management
(ii) Best suitable to large scale storage application with
exceptions
(iii) Construction of electrochemical cells
(iv) Technology is new and unfamiliar in the industry
(v)

Limited durable membrane technology

(vi) High initial self discharge rate in some technology

(vii) No International standardization of complete process
(viii) No compensation and incentive scheme for storage
among stakeholder

OPPORTUNITY:-

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(i)
Alternative energy source on a global scale towards a low
carbon society
(ii)

This is next generation power system across the world

(iii) Economically viable among all present technology

(iv) Accepts the challenges and gives solution to all wind and
solar system in this continent
(v) Highly promising proven technology with excellent bright
future
(vi) Very large practical application like Industrial application,
Diesel Generator replacement, transport, communication tower,
logistics etc.
(vii) Some technology are useful under high temperature say
above 300

THREAT:(i)
Verification test by end user for cost, quality etc. is not
available
(ii) The bottom line and operating margin are not known to
average investor to make this a favourable investment
(iii) Research is at primary stage so more innovation is
expected
(iv) Environmental impact bas to be further analysed to the
last straw in time test machine
(v) In some related technology using vanadium is available
with few countries which may lead similar to another oil war
after long time
In simple mathematics as well as matrix for strength and
opportunity are in 27 and 7 steps. So they are 27+7 = 34
positive step. In a similar exercise weakness and threat have 8
and 5 steps. So they have 8+5 = 13 negative step. So

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summing the result it has very high positive outcome in all

aspects i.e.
RESULTANT: 34 - 13 = 21 absolute positive step.

CONCLUSION: Flow batteries are always superior and they

have full capacity and capability to solve total power situation
in entire areas in this globe.
By:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAMP: CA, USA, (Mobile:) +1-7077919989/(Mobile - India) +919004904449

12th August 2015

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