Underwriters Laboratories has selected Redflow ZBM batteries to carry out research to characterise the operating and safety profile of redox flow batteries under nominal and off-nominal conditions.
The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute at Underwriters Laboratories has undertaken the test program in collaboration with Stress Engineering Services Inc. (SES) and Redflow to understand key technical attributes of redox flow batteries, study their cycle life and ageing properties and to understand how the batteries behave under off-nominal conditions of overcharge, over-discharge and external short-circuit conditions.
Six Redflow batteries were purchased by Underwriters Laboratories in 2021 and arrived at the SES facility in Texas in December. The test program commenced in January 2022 and will run for a number of months.
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“We are delighted to be working with industry leaders Underwriters Laboratories and SES to verify the performance and safety characteristics of flow battery storage using our Redflow batteries,” Redflow CEO and managing director Tim Harris said.
“Redflow’s CTO Steve Hickey and I were able to meet the Underwriters Laboratories and SES teams at their Texas facility last month to advise on the setup of the Redflow batteries and provide broader input on the test program.”
This research will enhance the knowledge base around the operating and safety characteristics of zinc-bromine flow batteries, enabling interested parties to better understand and compare a broad range of battery chemistries.
“As redox flow battery technology evolves, it’s important to determine its safety and performance limits under various conditions,” Underwriters Laboratories vice president and executive director of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute Dr Judy Jeevarajan said.
“Our partnership with Redflow and SES will deepen our understanding of this energy storage alternative.”
