Electrochemical Theory and Overview of Redox Flow Batteries

Due to the rapid growth in power generation from intermittent sources, the requirement for low-cost and flexible energy storage systems has given rise to many opportunities [1, 2]. Electrochemical redox flow batteries (RFBs) have emerged as a promising and practical technology for storing energy at large scales [3, 4]. Their scales range from kW to multiples of MW, making them suitable for load levelling, power quality control, coupling with renewable energies and uninterrupted power supply [3]. This can be attributed to their design flexibility, allowing for them to be readily scaled up in power and energy output [5]. This chapter provides a concise overview of RFB systems, covering the fundamental theory behind their operation, their historical development, components and materials, applications and latest developments.