United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), the research and innovation arm of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), announced that UTRC’s PureStorage flow battery energy storage technology has been awarded with R&D 100 Award. It is listed among the 100 most technologically significant products introduced during 2012.
The PureStorage system was selected for a 2013 R&D Award for its ability to provide safe, energy-efficient and readily deployable electric energy storage at 5-10 times the power density of conventional flow battery cells. Various companies in Japan, Germany and China are already beginning to sell conventional commercial flow battery units. The advanced technology recognised by this award could make flow battery systems even more attractive to utilities for a range of applications globally.
The PureStorage system is potentially beneficial in regions that experience frequent power outages, since it provides assured backup power. In addition, the system can be used on a daily basis to convert irregular renewable energy sources (e.g., solar and wind) into reliable 24/7 sources of power. Further, the battery can be used to significantly reduce a customer’s electricity bills by minimising the amount of power purchased during peak periods when electric rates are higher and/or demand charges are applied by the local utility.
Additionally, the product can be sized to suit commercial- to grid-scale applications, and the power output and energy capacity tailored independently to match each customer’s specific storage requirements – all at approximately half the cost of competitive storage solutions, including Lithium-ion batteries, molten-salt batteries and other flow battery technologies.
