In a market dominated by lithium-ion an Australian firm has bucked the trend by launching a hybrid zinc-bromide flow battery technology for residential applications.
Australian battery firm Redflow has unveiled its first residential 10kWh energy storage solution, the ZCell.
The ZCell allows home owners to ‘timeshift’ solar power, store power for peak demand periods and support off-grid systems.
Redflow Executive Chairman Simon Hackett said the ZCell broke many of the rules that applied to existing batteries.
“It lets you discharge 100% of its total stored energy every day, whereas other battery types can require a significant amount of their underlying storage capacity to be locked out to prevent battery damage and to extend battery life.”
ZCell is primarily made of plastic, aluminium and steel to allow easier recycling while its fluid electrolyte can be reused or repurposed— going some way to matching the ‘Green’ credentials of lead-acid.
ZCell comprises a smart battery, managed and protected by an on-board computer control system, with an integrated ZCell Battery Management System (BMS).
The fully installed cost of a 10kWh ZCell-based energy storage system will start from Aus$17,500 – Aus$19,500 including GST.
Australian installations are scheduled to start mid-year.
