Storing electrical energy in metal

A new type of large-scale battery storage uses zinc in order to store energy

Storage: Efficient energy storage is a vital component of the transition to renewable energy. While a number of innovators are working on improving existing battery technologies, e-Zinc is taking another approach. The energy storage company has developed a long-duration storage device that stores electrical energy using zinc metal. The company claims the system can store hundreds of hours of energy capacity while being significantly cheaper than alternative battery technologies.

The companies’ battery technology uses zinc metal as an energy carrier. Zinc batteries offer a number of advantages, including a high energy density and low cost. While traditional rechargeable batteries have their energy-bearing metal fixed to the electrodes, the zinc battery features zinc which is detached from electrodes allowing the metal to be stored independently at a low cost. In addition, the storage space is located within the same electrochemical cell as the charging and discharging electrodes, enabling a simple operation.

According to the company, the basic structure of e-Zinc’s electrochemical cell consists of a charging section at the top, a discharging section at bottom, and a storage section in the middle. When charging, zinc metal is deposited on the electrodes in the charging section. The zinc metal deposits regularly detach from the charging electrodes and fall through the electrolyte into the spaces between the discharging electrodes. When discharging, the zinc is dissolved back into the electrolyte and recirculated to the charging section, ready for the next charging cycle.

e-Zinc recently entered into a collaboration for a pilot project with Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc (TTCI) to further test and validate whether e-Zinc energy storage systems at a commercial scale can provide reliable long-duration energy storage. “TTCI has identified e-Zinc as a high potential company with strategic alignment to its business,” said James Larsen, CEO at e-Zinc. “This project sets the stage for TTCI to support e-Zinc with manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, sales, and distribution support, as well as project deployment and service for a variety of market applications.”

Large-scale battery storage systems like e-Zinc’s hold the key to the successful transition to renewable energy. In fact, Springwise has spotted numerous innovations in battery storage, including the world’s largest flow battery system and a large-scale sand battery.

Written By: Lisa Magloff