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U.S. Department of Energy
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Development of high-efficiency cost-effective, zinc--chlorine batteries for utility peak-shaving, 1976. Interim report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6810157· OSTI ID:6810157
The two principal thrusts of this program were battery scale-up by a factor of twenty from earlier work and investigation of the economics of zinc--chlorine peak-shaving batteries located at utility substations. Development programs on cell performance, electrode research, and materials of construction were conducted in support of these objectives. A battery was designed, built, and tested which delivered 18 kWh dc at an electrochemical energy efficiency of 60 percent. This scale-up from a 1 kWh system was successful despite difficulties with excessive hydrogen evolution and zinc dendrite formation during initial testing. Two smaller systems were built and tested in order to permit informed selection of the chlorine-electrode material. Porous graphite was chosen over ruthenia-catalyzed porous titanium because of considerations of ultimate cost, ease of system operability, and system safety. The cycle-testing of two battery systems was successfully automated. Experience with the automation activities indicated that the zinc--chlorine battery system can operate (charge and discharge) for extended periods without human intervention. Two conceptual designs--Mark 2 and Mark 3--of a 100-MWh (20-MW) zinc--chlorine battery plant were prepared. A detailed cost breakdown was provided for each design. In a mature market, the selling prices of the Mark 2 and Mark 3 plants would be $25/kWh and $21/kWh (1976$), respectively. These selling prices coupled with a 70 percent ac to ac storage efficiency would make the battery plants highly competitive with fossil fuel-consuming combustion turbines from an electricity-cost standpoint. 102 figures, 36 tables.
Research Organization:
Energy Development Associates, Madison Heights, Mich. (USA)
OSTI ID:
6810157
Report Number(s):
EPRI-EM-711
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English