4 ms·

Iron-air batteries are another potential low-cost option for long-duration storage (e.g. https://formenergy.com/technology/ https://formenergy.com/technology/)

• megaman821 5y ago
  Flow batteries look interesting, but they have moving parts. That is probably fine for large utilities who can staff people to maintain these batteries. It is probably not fine for a small solar and battery install house or village.
  • panick21_ 5y ago
    I don't think Form is making flow batteries. Alternatively you can use liquid metal batteries, they can be placed anywhere and need nothing with very low chance of fire. https://ambri.com/ https://ambri.com/
  • adgjlsfhk1 5y ago
    if big batteries are cheap, you don't need small ones. the reason small batteries are common now is that they are price competitive. if new batteries are developed that are cheap, but need large sizes, the cost of moving the power around is negligible.
    • ncmncm 5y ago
      And, similarly for other storage methods.
• ncmncm 5y ago
  It will be interesting to see whether Form's iron-air batteries end up priced out of the market as storage cost continues plummeting with no bottom in sight. I have not seen round-trip efficiency figures for iron-air, so guess it must be low. (I welcome correction.) Transportability of synthetic liquid storage media will make them attractive even where still more expensive than alternatives. Their cost will continue on down, too. It surprises most people that low round-trip efficiency in a storage medium doesn't matter much anymore.