Flow battery market welcomes XL Batteries as a new competitor
Petrochemical feedstocks, derived from oil and gas, have long been the foundation of many modern materials. Now, they are playing a pivotal role in the energy storage sector, thanks to the innovative work of XL Batteries.
In 2019, Tom Sisto and his team at Columbia University made a groundbreaking discovery while working on solar cells. They uncovered a set of chemistries for a battery molecule that would later become the cornerstone of XL Batteries' operation.
XL Batteries, a company specializing in flow batteries, has been making waves in the industry since it was founded by Sisto. The company received a total of $28 million in financing in 2019, with its founder and CEO being Roy G. Gordon.
The company's flow batteries operate on a molecular innovation based on organic petrochemical products dissolved in pH-neutral water. This innovative approach sets XL Batteries apart from traditional flow battery systems, which have relied on expensive and corrosive materials such as vanadium, primarily controlled by China and Russia.
XL Batteries' new molecule application is part of the industry's search for economical long-duration energy storage at scale, a milestone that has been elusive so far. By replacing vanadium with their proprietary liquid, XL Batteries has made flow battery systems three to four times cheaper than traditional systems.
The system can last for more than 20 years and the hours of storage it can discharge depends on the amount of liquid in the tanks and the number of stackable storage units near me a company installs. This means that XL Batteries' flow batteries can provide energy storage of at least six hours, a significant improvement over traditional systems.
Flow batteries have similar response times to lithium systems and are less flammable, making them suitable for industries with high safety needs, such as petrochemicals. This, coupled with their affordability, makes XL Batteries' flow batteries an attractive option for various industries.
XL Batteries develops flow batteries that generate electricity by circulating liquid electrolytes through a cell stack. The batteries use a closed loop circulating system, allowing for charging and discharging repeatedly without needing to be refueled.
The company recently finished a pilot project with bulk liquid services provider Batteries Plus and announced an agreement with data center developer Prometheus Hyperscale for a 333-kilowatt demonstration-scale system in 2027. They also have commitments for two 125 megawatt-hour commercial-scale systems in 2028 and 2029.
The first vanadium flow battery patent was filed in the late 1980s, with large-scale implementation occurring in Japan in the 1990s. However, XL Batteries' innovative approach is set to revolutionize the industry, making long-duration energy storage more accessible and affordable for all.
In conclusion, XL Batteries' groundbreaking work in the field of flow batteries is set to redefine the energy storage landscape. With their affordable, safe, and long-lasting solutions, they are poised to become a key player in the industry's pursuit of economical long-duration energy storage at scale.
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