Overview of the factors affecting the performance of vanadium redox flow batteries

Redox flow batteries are being utilised as an attractive electrochemical energy storage technology for electricity from renewable generation. At present, the global installed capacity of redox flow battery is 1100 MWh. There are several parameters that significantly govern redox flow battery performance amongst which electrode activation, electrode material, felt compression, electrolyte additive, electrolyte temperature, membrane, and flow field design are notable. This review article presents an overview of the influence of individual components by comparing the performance of a parametrically modified cell with a default cell, which has 0% felt compression, inactivated electrode, zero electrolyte additives, and ambient condition operation. From the reviewed studies, electrode activation (thermal, chemical, laser perforation) and felt compression were identified as the most significant parameters. Electrolyte additive and flow field design were identified to be reasonably significant. Electrolyte temperature and membrane type were identified as the least significant amongst all the parameters. Based on this survey, a parametric matrix has been outlined that will aid researchers to identify appropriate parameters to focus research efforts onto improved redox flow battery performance.