![\"BSEF](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BSEF-bromine-photon-farmer-energy-storage.png\")
Renewable, low-carbon energy systems are part of the strategy to address global climate change while meeting our energy needs But we are not there yet with these climate friendly systems. Lots of electricity is not consumed at the time it is produced. More energy storage is needed so that it is not wasted and it can be provided continuously. Clever energy storage strategies and systems are needed. One such example is the Photon Farmer. A farmer cannot depend on when the sun shines or when the wind blows to milk his cows.
\n\n
To run a farm, a lot of energy is needed. Our traditional energy system is based on large, central production facilities and many small users. The production of energy is then in line with the demand. Optimally matching supply and demand is not that self-evident with renewable energy. Here is where bromine-based flow battery technologies\u00a0can help. The Photon Farmer\u00a0\u2013 a dairy farm located in Vierakker in the eastern Netherlands \u2013 is now testing this revolutionary energy storage system. The 57.5-hectare family-owned sustainable and highly automated farm houses 100 cows, and has a large shed roof with a 50kW rooftop solar system. Just as most farms, there\u2019s even paddock space for windmills if needed.
\nWhat is the aim of this project ? To make this farm become completely grid\u00a0independent, and to explore the best business model for storage of locally produced renewable energy. Positive results should serve as an example for other projects inside and outside the agricultural business. With this goal in mind, the Photon Farmer has obtained financial backing from the European Union.
\n
The Photon Farmer\u00a0is the first project in its region to test the Redflow ZBM2 intelligent battery management system, and to profit by it.
\nThe Redflow ZBM2 battery is a bromine-based flow battery. It is the ultimate renewable solution for smart grid energy management. The advantages of this energy storage system are notable. Decreasing power demand at peak hours lowers the electricity usage. By deploying power when it is needed the most, energy waste is minimized. And users are assured that operations can continue in the event of power outage.
\nRedflow\u2019s unique battery is fire safe and non-flammable – because of both its design and the used bromine electrolyte \u2013 and can operate at\u00a0high ambient temperatures. With the 100% daily depth of discharge and the delivery of 10 kWh of sustained storage (warranted for 10 years), the flow battery delivers superior energy storage performance. On top of that, there is no loss of energy storage capacity over time. The battery components are easily recyclable or re-usable. Read more about the role of bromine in flow batteries in our article \u201cBromine as energy storage enabler\u201d.
\nThe reduction of the impact of energy consumption through improved efficiency, and successful deployment of renewable sources, present both financial growth and environmental benefits. That is why \u2013 in 2016 – the unique storage design was nominated for the Responsible Care Award by the VNCI, and why BSEF supports this innovation in energy storage.
\n\n\n
\n
This project is the first of its kind in this part of Europe. But Redflow ZBM2 batteries are sold and already globally installed. In Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain, large-scale telecommunications, industrial and commercial applications use the storage systems. The battery is even used in homes in Australia.
\n\n
Six parties came together for this unique test. The cooperation consists of a project initiator and system integrator (Trinergie), an agricultural entrepreneur (the Photon Farmer), a chemical company specialized in the development of electrolytes for Redox Flow batteries (ICL – BSEF member), an energy trading company (AgroEnergy), the measuring and control engineering department of the university of applied science (HAN) and farmers organization LTO-Noord. This project was the first of its kind in its region, and in all probability not the last.
\n\n
\n
Do you see potential for these flow battery storage systems, and where would you see these innovations happen?
\nDo not hesitate to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.
\n\n
\n
SOURCES
\nDutch farm deploys six Redflow batteries – Redflow
\nRedflow zinc bromine batteries tapped for Dutch solar-powered dairy – one step off the grid
\nICL Deploys Bromine-based Battery Technology For Energy Storage – Cision PR Newswire
\nThe post The Photon Farmer’s bromine battery technology appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "HOW ZINC BROMINE FLOW BATTERIES MAKE GRID\u00a0INDEPENDENT FARMING POSSIBLE\nRenewable, low-carbon energy systems are part of the strategy to address global climate change while meeting our energy needs But we are not there yet with these climate friendly systems. Lots of electricity is not consumed at the time it is produced. More energy storage is needed so that it is not wasted and it can be provided continuously. Clever energy storage strategies and systems are needed. One such example is the Photon Farmer. A farmer cannot depend on when the sun shines or when the wind blows to milk his cows. \n \nFarms, the ideal locations for solar and wind energy storage\nTo run a farm, a lot of energy is needed. Our traditional energy system is based on large, central production facilities and many small users. The production of energy is then in line with the demand. Optimally matching supply and demand is not that self-evident with renewable energy. Here is where bromine-based flow battery technologies\u00a0can help. The Photon Farmer\u00a0\u2013 a dairy farm located in Vierakker in the eastern Netherlands \u2013 is now testing this revolutionary energy storage system. The 57.5-hectare family-owned sustainable and highly automated farm houses 100 cows, and has a large shed roof with a 50kW rooftop solar system. Just as most farms, there\u2019s even paddock space for windmills if needed.\nWhat is the aim of this project ? To make this farm become completely grid\u00a0independent, and to explore the best business model for storage of locally produced renewable energy. Positive results should serve as an example for other projects inside and outside the agricultural business. With this goal in mind, the Photon Farmer has obtained financial backing from the European Union.\n\nBromine-based flow batteries are making it happen\nThe Photon Farmer\u00a0is the first project in its region to test the Redflow ZBM2 intelligent battery management system, and to profit by it.\nThe Redflow ZBM2 battery is a bromine-based flow battery. It is the ultimate renewable solution for smart grid energy management. The advantages of this energy storage system are notable. Decreasing power demand at peak hours lowers the electricity usage. By deploying power when it is needed the most, energy waste is minimized. And users are assured that operations can continue in the event of power outage.\nRedflow\u2019s unique battery is fire safe and non-flammable – because of both its design and the used bromine electrolyte \u2013 and can operate at\u00a0high ambient temperatures. With the 100% daily depth of discharge and the delivery of 10 kWh of sustained storage (warranted for 10 years), the flow battery delivers superior energy storage performance. On top of that, there is no loss of energy storage capacity over time. The battery components are easily recyclable or re-usable. Read more about the role of bromine in flow batteries in our article \u201cBromine as energy storage enabler\u201d.\nThe reduction of the impact of energy consumption through improved efficiency, and successful deployment of renewable sources, present both financial growth and environmental benefits. That is why \u2013 in 2016 – the unique storage design was nominated for the Responsible Care Award by the VNCI, and why BSEF supports this innovation in energy storage.\n\n \n \nThe global success of renewable energy storage\nThis project is the first of its kind in this part of Europe. But Redflow ZBM2 batteries are sold and already globally installed. In Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain, large-scale telecommunications, industrial and commercial applications use the storage systems. The battery is even used in homes in Australia.\n \nA progressive project, a unique cooperation\nSix parties came together for this unique test. The cooperation consists of a project initiator and system integrator (Trinergie), an agricultural entrepreneur (the Photon Farmer), a chemical company specialized in the development of electrolytes for Redox Flow batteries (ICL – BSEF member), an energy trading company (AgroEnergy), the measuring and control engineering department of the university of applied science (HAN) and farmers organization LTO-Noord. This project was the first of its kind in its region, and in all probability not the last.\n \n \nDo you see potential for these flow battery storage systems, and where would you see these innovations happen? \nDo not hesitate to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation. \n \n \nSOURCES\nDutch farm deploys six Redflow batteries – Redflow\nRedflow zinc bromine batteries tapped for Dutch solar-powered dairy – one step off the grid\nICL Deploys Bromine-based Battery Technology For Energy Storage – Cision PR Newswire\nThe post The Photon Farmer’s bromine battery technology appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2017-09-07T08:14:10+00:00", "date_modified": "2017-09-07T14:37:03+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/The-photon-farmer-energy-storage-bsef-bromine-1-1.jpg", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "climate", "Energy storage", "flow batteries", "photon farmer", "renewable energy", "zinc-bromine" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/09/07/bromine-as-energy-storage-enabler/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/09/07/bromine-as-energy-storage-enabler/", "title": "Bromine as energy storage enabler", "content_html": "![\"BSEF](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BSEF-bromine-energy-storage-population-growth-.png\")
Today, in 2017, about 7.5 billion people live on our earth. The world population increases each day. By 2050, things are about to get really cosy. It is expected that then, 9.7 billion people will populate our planet. To provide maintenance for this inhabitation, energy is needed. A lot of energy. But what is the best way to generate power to the benefit of our environment? And can we store this precious energy in an efficient manner?
\n\n\n
The power generation sector is undergoing a major transformation, diversifying its energy mix. Today, a lot of the energy is generated by fossil-energy-based centralized power systems. 40% of the world\u2019s electricity is still generated by coal-fired plants. However, thanks to\u00a0bromine,\u00a0this source of energy can be made cleaner and safer.
\nBut the real future focus in power generation is on low-carbon, renewable-energy-based systems. The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement\u00a0aims to avoid global temperature increases, by making a shift towards these climate friendly systems.
\n\n
As the supply of renewable energy grows, energy storage (the capture of energy produced at a point in\u00a0time, for use at a later time) becomes more important. Today, only 4% of the power generation globally comes from wind and solar energy. This share may grow to 20% or possibly even 40% by 2060, because of ingenious energy storage systems.
\nRenewable\u00a0energy has a variable\u00a0production\u00a0nature and cannot always be consumed at the time it is produced. Wind power is uncertain, and solar power is only available during daylight hours, while demand often peaks after sunset. On top of that, the current grid capacity is not able to cope with the growing volumes of renewable power and the increasing demand for it. The lack of continuity in the supply makes the energy hard to retain, which is a missed opportunity. In 2014 alone, enough energy to power 375.000 homes for a year was produced but not used. Therefore, the incapacity of the grid system to utilize all the newly generated power is a big deficiency for our climate friendly future.
\nThat is why storage systems are not only an energy-, but also a lifesaver. Storage systems supply more flexibility and balancing to the grid, providing back-up to the intermittent renewable energy. The energy can then be used without the demand for a continuous connection to the grid. Expanding the energy storage capacity helps to fully exploit the growing options of renewable energy. This method of improving efficiency improving and reducing costs,\u00a0gives customers the freedom to manage their own power needs.
\n![\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BSEF-bromine-energy-storage-solar-power-renewable-3.png\")
\n
Currently, there is a limited storage of electricity relative to the increasing demand. Pumped hydro storage (PHS) is a globally used storage solution. At times of low electrical demand, water is pumped from a lower source into a higher reservoir. Once the demand grows, water is released back into a lower reservoir, generating energy. Further growth of PHS is unfortunately not sufficient to fulfil the projected requirements. Bromine-based technologies\u00a0are one potential solution to meet these growing needs.
\nBromine-based technologies are a highly efficient and cost-effective electro-chemical energy storage solution. It makes energy from renewable sources successfully manageable. The technology minimizes energy loss, reduces energy use and costs and secures supply. That is why it is the perfect mechanism for grid, facility or back-up/stand-by storage.
\n\n
The battery systems release energy continuously at a high rate of discharge for up to 10 hours or more. The high energy density increases the storage capacity of each battery. They have no self-discharge, as there is no reaction outside of the reaction chamber. Because the chemical reaction in flow batteries is reversible, they can be recharged easily and quickly without replacing the electro-active material. On top of that, the batteries can be recharged over 10.000 times. The option to decouple power and energy offers the desired flexibility.
\n\n
![\"BSEF](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BSEF-bromine-energy-storage-zinc-flow-batteries-3-192x300.png\")
Bromine flow batteries operate by passing a solution over a membrane, where ions are exchanged to charge and discharge the cell. They typically include zinc-bromine (Zn-Br) or more recently hydrogen bromide (HBr).
\nThe zinc-bromine flow battery is a hybrid flow battery fuelled by the reaction between two chemicals dissolved in liquids, namely zinc and bromide. The rechargeable fuel cell exists of two compartments (one for the positive electrode reactions, one for the negative) separated by a micro-porous polyolefin membrane. The battery reversibly converts chemical energy directly into electricity. Aqueous zinc bromide flows through it, generating a charge by moving electrons back and forth, thus generating energy. During discharge, Zn and Br combine into zinc bromide, generating 1.8 volt across each cell. When electricity is stored, the battery is charging, and metallic zinc is externally deposited as a thin film on one side of the carbon\u2013plastic composite electrode.
\nThe net efficiency of this battery is about 75%. Zn-Br batteries offer the high cell voltages of flow batteries, while releasing two electrons per atom of Zinc. This gives them the highest energy density among currently available flow batteries.
\n\n\n
Large sites around the world are using bromine flow batteries to balance their energy deficiencies, because of their extended duration, reliability and low cost. At the Marine Corps Air station in Miramar (California), energy security is now guaranteed, energy efficiency has been promoted and the reliance on fossil fuels is reduced. It was the US Department of Defence that chose to use bromine-based storage technologies for this military microgrid.
\nAnother example in Europe of the innovative battery technology is the Photons Farmer, a solar energy-storing farm in the Netherlands
\nAt BSEF, we are excited to see climate friendly systems and clever storage solutions grow. Read more about our vision on energy, and the role of bromine in energy storage.
\n\n
\n
What are your experiences, expectations or opinions about renewable energy and energy storage?
\nDo not hesitate to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.
\n\n
The post Bromine as energy storage enabler appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "THE ADVANTAGES OF BROMINE-BASED FLOW-BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES\n\nToday, in 2017, about 7.5 billion people live on our earth. The world population increases each day. By 2050, things are about to get really cosy. It is expected that then, 9.7 billion people will populate our planet. To provide maintenance for this inhabitation, energy is needed. A lot of energy. But what is the best way to generate power to the benefit of our environment? And can we store this precious energy in an efficient manner?\n \n\nThe power generation shift towards climate friendly systems\nThe power generation sector is undergoing a major transformation, diversifying its energy mix. Today, a lot of the energy is generated by fossil-energy-based centralized power systems. 40% of the world\u2019s electricity is still generated by coal-fired plants. However, thanks to\u00a0bromine,\u00a0this source of energy can be made cleaner and safer.\nBut the real future focus in power generation is on low-carbon, renewable-energy-based systems. The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement\u00a0aims to avoid global temperature increases, by making a shift towards these climate friendly systems.\n \nRenewable energy storage systems: energy- and lifesavers\nAs the supply of renewable energy grows, energy storage (the capture of energy produced at a point in\u00a0time, for use at a later time) becomes more important. Today, only 4% of the power generation globally comes from wind and solar energy. This share may grow to 20% or possibly even 40% by 2060, because of ingenious energy storage systems.\nRenewable\u00a0energy has a variable\u00a0production\u00a0nature and cannot always be consumed at the time it is produced. Wind power is uncertain, and solar power is only available during daylight hours, while demand often peaks after sunset. On top of that, the current grid capacity is not able to cope with the growing volumes of renewable power and the increasing demand for it. The lack of continuity in the supply makes the energy hard to retain, which is a missed opportunity. In 2014 alone, enough energy to power 375.000 homes for a year was produced but not used. Therefore, the incapacity of the grid system to utilize all the newly generated power is a big deficiency for our climate friendly future.\nThat is why storage systems are not only an energy-, but also a lifesaver. Storage systems supply more flexibility and balancing to the grid, providing back-up to the intermittent renewable energy. The energy can then be used without the demand for a continuous connection to the grid. Expanding the energy storage capacity helps to fully exploit the growing options of renewable energy. This method of improving efficiency improving and reducing costs,\u00a0gives customers the freedom to manage their own power needs.\n\n\n \nHow bromine is used for the increased demand in energy storage\nCurrently, there is a limited storage of electricity relative to the increasing demand. Pumped hydro storage (PHS) is a globally used storage solution. At times of low electrical demand, water is pumped from a lower source into a higher reservoir. Once the demand grows, water is released back into a lower reservoir, generating energy. Further growth of PHS is unfortunately not sufficient to fulfil the projected requirements. Bromine-based technologies\u00a0are one potential solution to meet these growing needs.\nBromine-based technologies are a highly efficient and cost-effective electro-chemical energy storage solution. It makes energy from renewable sources successfully manageable. The technology minimizes energy loss, reduces energy use and costs and secures supply. That is why it is the perfect mechanism for grid, facility or back-up/stand-by storage.\n \nThe advantages of bromine-based storage technologies\nThe battery systems release energy continuously at a high rate of discharge for up to 10 hours or more. The high energy density increases the storage capacity of each battery. They have no self-discharge, as there is no reaction outside of the reaction chamber. Because the chemical reaction in flow batteries is reversible, they can be recharged easily and quickly without replacing the electro-active material. On top of that, the batteries can be recharged over 10.000 times. The option to decouple power and energy offers the desired flexibility.\n \nHow bromine-based flow batteries work\n\n Bromine flow batteries operate by passing a solution over a membrane, where ions are exchanged to charge and discharge the cell. They typically include zinc-bromine (Zn-Br) or more recently hydrogen bromide (HBr).\nThe zinc-bromine flow battery is a hybrid flow battery fuelled by the reaction between two chemicals dissolved in liquids, namely zinc and bromide. The rechargeable fuel cell exists of two compartments (one for the positive electrode reactions, one for the negative) separated by a micro-porous polyolefin membrane. The battery reversibly converts chemical energy directly into electricity. Aqueous zinc bromide flows through it, generating a charge by moving electrons back and forth, thus generating energy. During discharge, Zn and Br combine into zinc bromide, generating 1.8 volt across each cell. When electricity is stored, the battery is charging, and metallic zinc is externally deposited as a thin film on one side of the carbon\u2013plastic composite electrode.\nThe net efficiency of this battery is about 75%. Zn-Br batteries offer the high cell voltages of flow batteries, while releasing two electrons per atom of Zinc. This gives them the highest energy density among currently available flow batteries.\n\n \nSuccessful bromine-zinc battery deployments\nLarge sites around the world are using bromine flow batteries to balance their energy deficiencies, because of their extended duration, reliability and low cost. At the Marine Corps Air station in Miramar (California), energy security is now guaranteed, energy efficiency has been promoted and the reliance on fossil fuels is reduced. It was the US Department of Defence that chose to use bromine-based storage technologies for this military microgrid.\nAnother example in Europe of the innovative battery technology is the Photons Farmer, a solar energy-storing farm in the Netherlands\nAt BSEF, we are excited to see climate friendly systems and clever storage solutions grow. Read more about our vision on energy, and the role of bromine in energy storage.\n \n \nWhat are your experiences, expectations or opinions about renewable energy and energy storage? \nDo not hesitate to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation. \n \nThe post Bromine as energy storage enabler appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2017-09-07T08:13:10+00:00", "date_modified": "2017-09-07T14:54:20+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BSEF-bromine-energy-storage-renewable-energy-1.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "climate", "Energy storage", "flow batteries", "photon farmer", "power generation", "renewable energy", "zinc-bromine" ] } ] }