All-iron flow batteries from US-based firm Energy Storage Systems’ (ESS) are making their debut in Europe under a contract with German chemicals group BASF.
ESS said two of its 50kw/400kWh ‘Energy Warehouse’ batteries ordered by BASF “set the stage for active market development on the continent”.
It was also revealed that BASF has recently made an unspecified “significant investment” in ESS— although the companies did not give details.
ESS founder and CEO Craig Evans said the firm was pleased to “establish our footprint in the European market”.
“The purchase of these systems shows the industry’s confidence in our technology and our business,” Evans said.
According to ESS, its batteries can reach more than 20,000 cycles at more than 80% depth of discharge during a 25-year-life because the battery’s electrolyte operates with a benign pH range of one to four. The technology also uses earth abundant iron chloride (FeCl2) as its electrolyte as well as salt and water.
