Latest Advances in Redox Flow Batteries for Solar Energy Storage

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing demand for low-cost energy conversion and storage technologies which can increase the utilization of intermittent renewable energy sources such as sunlight has brought attention to redox flow batteries (RFBs) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) energy conversion processes. For instance, organic RFBs are slowly emerging as a low-cost energy storage solution which exploits structurally tailorable and naturally abundant organic redox materials. In particular, this diversity of choices in redox species makes it possible to match the energy levels of the semiconductors, which is currently the most attractive aspect of the PEC rechargeable RFB systems. Consequently, the PEC RFBs emerge as an alternative all-in-one technology for the simultaneous conversion and storage of solar energy. The ability to decouple power and capacity and the rapid kinetics of electrochemical reactions is another key advantage of RFBs.

However, the comprehensive implementation of the RFB to this promising PEC battery system has been limited by RFB lifetime, low solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency, and low photovoltage, which limits discharge capacity. In this Special Issue of Energies, we address the recent advances and breakthroughs in RFB systems in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes for efficient solar energy storage. We invite original research articles, short communications, as well as review, comment, and prospective articles addressing issues related to RFBs and PEC redox flow batteries, with a special focus on their development or application, including but not limited to new redox species, lifetime, PEC electrodes, electrolytes, catalysts, membranes, modelling, characterization techniques, system optimization, and industrial implications.

Prof. Dr. Dowon Bae
Prof. Dr. Emil Dražević
Guest Editors

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• solar redox flow battery
• photoelectrochemistry
• PEC flow cell
• electrochemical energy storage
• PEC energy conversion
• photovoltaics
• redox flow battery