China's first PV-Storage-Charging Integrated project of new aqueous zinc-manganese dioxide battery developed by Tianjin University’s Electrochemical Energy Storage Research Team was put into operation in the city of Yueqing in East China’s Zhejiang Province, marking the first application of aqueous zinc-manganese dioxide battery to the energy storage field in China. The project will serve as a "large power bank" available for grid energy storage and power peak shaving.

The 50 kW/150 kWh energy storage system at the State Grid Zhejiang Yueqing power supply Co., Ltd.

The new aqueous battery developed by TJU has by large overcome the shortcomings of traditional aqueous batteries. It features a large capacity, high energy density (generally 1 to 2 times that of cadmium-nickel batteries and twice of lead-acid batteries), high safety, no memory effect, excellent performance in low-temperature conditions (working temperature at -40℃~55℃), and the ability to charge and discharge quickly with high currents.

According to the research team, the highly safe aqueous zinc-manganese dioxide battery has drawn immediate attention from leading enterprises at home and abroad as soon as it was released on the market.

Apart from the pilot project mentioned above which was built by the State Grid Zhejiang Yueqing power supply Co., Ltd. in China, the 50 kW/150 kWh energy storage system using the new aqueous battery has also been purchased and promoted by AL MASA TECHNICAL GEN TRADING L.L.C. in the United Arab Emirates.

"Aqueous batteries characterized by high energy density and high circularity will be the focus of future battery development and application technology," said the team leader from TJU, "We will continue to carry out more in-depth and innovative research around the key technology development and material application in the field of new energy and environmental protection, and strive to develop batteries with better performance.”

It is learnt thatelectrochemical energy storage is widely used in fields like primary frequency modulation, peak-shift of electrical demands, and new energy application since it is convenient to use, causing less environmental pollution, and free from geographical limitation as well as Carnot cycle limitation in energy conversion. Besides, it boasts of high conversion efficiency, high energy density and specific power. The large-scale application of electrochemical energy storage technology is of great significance to improving China's energy structure and ensuring its energy security.

By Zhang Qing

Editor: Eva Yin