SOLSTICE - Sodium-Zinc molten salt batteries for low-cost stationary storage
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Abstract
SOLSTICE answers the quest for stationary energy storage with two Na-Zn molten salt batteries, whichoperate at elevated temperature. The first concept benefits from the existing and successful ZEBRA®technology. Replacing their Ni-electrode by cheap and abundant Zn will only minimally affect other systemparts thereby ensuring fast commercialisation. The second approach, an all-liquid cell, will apply the samechemistry, but does not require a ceramic electrolyte thus reducing cost further. Both battery concepts shallbe brought to TRL5, and validated by four demonstrators, operating in a realistic environment at the end ofthe 4-year project. The demonstrators will be equipped with a self-learning battery management system andwill be accompanied by upscaling, system integration and public acceptance studies. Na-Zn technology isexceptionally performant as it promises similar efficiency and depth of discharge as Li-ion cells, butextreme current densities. Featuring molten electrodes, Na-Zn cells actually work better when being cycled,as operation keeps them warm; several cycles per day and a lifetime exceeding 10,000 cycles can belegitimately expected. Na-Zn storage is perfectly sustainable: the raw materials, table salt and Zn, areabundant in the EU, cheap and not harmful. The environmental impact of Zn-mining and battery productionis expected to be minimal. Finally, recycling is greatly simplified due to the large, molten electrodes. Themost valuable element, Zn, can simply be recovered as pure metal and reused after dismantling the cells.Based on the existing knowledge on ZEBRA® battery production, the storage price of Na-Zn batteries isexpected to approach 1 cent/kWh/cycle by 2030 - including balance-of-plant and recycling cost. Summingup, the Na-Zn technology is the cheapest molten-salt battery, is fully sustainable, fulfils all criteria of thecall - and is even realistic to be commercialised by 2030.
Persone coinvolte
- Federico Smeacetto. (Responsabile Scientifico)
Dipartimenti coinvolti
Partner
- Helmholtz-Fond e V. - Coordinator
- CIEMAT
- DLR - DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
- EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS- UND FORSCHUNGSANSTALT
- FZSONICK SA
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
- NTNU Norges teknisk naturvitenskapelige universitet
- POLITECNICO DI TORINO
- QUANTIS
- SENSICHIPS SRL
- SINTEF Energi AS
- UNINOVA - Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias Pessoa Coletiva de Utilidade Publica
Parole chiave
Settori ERC
Obiettivi di Sviluppo Sostenibile (Sustainable Development Goals)
Budget
Costo totale progetto: | € 7.720.798,75 |
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Contributo totale progetto: | € 7.720.798,75 |
Costo totale PoliTo: | € 555.125,00 |
Contributo PoliTo: | € 555.125,00 |