Hi can someone help me please8 Jun 2015 19:40
Is this all right what he is saying
Hi Boo, thanks for the reply! I am always interested in better more efficient energy forms that could possibly overtake the current multiple Lithium applications. As far as I am aware, apart from batteries, there are no other commonalities shared between the two metals. The threat to Li you refer to is thus based purely on the single aspect of the battery. Fortunately for Lithium then we should at least be safe in the near future with the remaining 99 other applications. Apart from fellow posters comments on the poor energy density etc. The role where VRB's are being considered, are currently very limited and only due to it's very rapid response time to supplement variable power applications, makes it a useable application such as for entirely off grid, variable wind & solar supplemental power. The electrolyte is very expensive but it's stability allows for safety as a plus. It is driven or powered as pumped power, in other words needs a start energy and consumes some of it's own energy continually to deliver output. Additional power is required for critical temperature control. In short, the VRB may eventually prove to be useable on remote & isolated off grid applications (remote islands) if and when a number of issues can be overcome! Therefore, when comparing the flow battery with the multitude of battery types, sizes & shapes and uses in which Li is the standard, it implies no near threat in any aspect. The battery does not allow for standby modes without energy loss i.e. power leakage/loss. It is neither suitable for on grid storage applications and it's power to weight ratio makes it unsuitable for EV's. In short, the suitability of the technology if the largest challenges can be overcome, only has limited applications. Frankly I have to admit, I still fail to see the overall threat to Lithium as you mentioned?