Leading-edge Technologies

Technology Description

In addition to the technologies discussed here, several leading-edge technologies are also being developed:

• Metal-air batteries
• Na-ion batteries including Na-halide chemistries
• New types of Na/S cells (e.g, flat, bipolar, low-temperature, high-power)
• New Li-ion chemistries that improve performance and safety characteristics
• Advanced lead-carbon batteries
• Ultra-batteries (a hybrid energy storage device that combines a VRLA battery with an electrochemical capacitor)
• New flow battery couples including iron-chrome and zinc/chlorine (Zn/Cl)
• Above-ground CAES
• Mini-CAES

Currently, not enough data is available to make an objective assessment of these technologies’ suitability for use as utility-scale storage devices.

Updated April 2010