Large scale energy storage systems are a possible alternative to buffer the variability and the intermittency of electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind. The main requirements of such energy storage systems are high efficiency, good rate capability, long life and low cost.

The electrodes in these large energy storage systems like e.g. Electrolysers and Redox Flow batteries are becoming more and more important attributers to the cost and performance drivers in the BOP. As the working environment in the different available system vary significantly, an optimization of the structure and material use in the electrodes is clearly needed.

In this study, different metal fiber media which can be used as porous electrode, produced in a variety of different metals and structures were evaluated on the performance drivers needed to achieve an improved energy storage system. The different materials are compared with alternative technologies on a variety of parameters like corrosion resistance, conductivity, permeability, mechanical strength, … and evaluated on the performance in an electrochemical cell.

This talk will give an overview on the progress of each of the different drivers.