Metal-free flow batteries: intrinsically safe, long-life energy storage without scarce metals

Large-scale energy storage must be as safe and reliable as the grids it supports. Metal-free flow batteries rise to this challenge by using inherently safe water-based electrolytes and delivering long cycle life, all without depending on scarce metals.
In these batteries, inexpensive organic redox molecules are dissolved in benign salt solutions and circulated from external tanks through a compact cell stack. Because energy (tank volume) and power (stack size) are decoupled, systems can be scaled straightforwardly from kilowatt-hour to multi-megawatt-hour installations. The non-flammable electrolytes operate near ambient pressure, making the technology inherently immune to thermal runaway and suitable for deployment in sensitive environments without elaborate fire-mitigation measures. By eliminating scarce active materials, we reduce supply-chain risk, simplify recycling, and extend component life. Flexible, modular design further allows application-specific tuning, from frequency regulation and peak-shifting to long-duration energy storage.
This talk will explain the underlying technology, highlight the key materials, and explore how metal-free flow batteries have been scaled to become a cornerstone of safe, durable, and sustainable stationary storage.