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HalioGEN Power, a spin-out from The University of Manchester, faced the challenge of developing a long-duration energy storage solution that could effectively support the transition to low-carbon energy. The existing market was inadequately served by current technologies, which typically relied on lithium and could only store energy efficiently for up to four hours. The team, led by Professor Robert Dryfe and supported by Research Associates Dr. Lewis Le Fevre, Dr. Andinet Aynalem, and Dr. Athanasios Stergiou, aimed to create a lithium-free redox-flow battery technology capable of storing energy for more than ten hours.
The tailored solution involved a novel approach that eliminated the need for a membrane, a critical component in traditional flow batteries. Instead, HalioGEN Power manipulated halogen chemistry to create a two-phase system where the interface between the two phases functions as a membrane. This innovation not only enhances the storage duration but also simplifies the design by requiring only one tank and one pump, significantly reducing both capital costs and system complexity.
The project received 3 million in funding from SPRIND, the German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, to scale and de-risk the prototype developed with an initial 1 million investment. Over the next 18 months, HalioGEN Power will utilize this funding to prepare for commercial application, leveraging resources from the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at The University of Manchester. The GEIC will provide access to advanced facilities and expertise in the commercialization of new technologies.
HalioGEN Power's technology addresses specific issues such as the "dark lulls" in Germany, where renewable energy generation can be significantly low for extended periods. By providing a long-term storage solution, the technology aims to maximize the sustainability of renewable energy systems and enhance grid stability. The Energy Innovation Agency in Greater Manchester will also support HalioGEN Power in developing its business and technology, facilitating connections with potential end-users and guiding the transition from prototype to market-ready status.