Novel Battery Undergoing Tests at AERTC

STONY BROOK, NY–February 19, 2019 – Stony Brook University energy researchers will be testing a prototype storage battery called a vanadium flow batterythat is designed to be more energy efficient than existing flow batteries used in industry and have added commercial value and residential applications. The battery, developed by StorEn Technologies, is being tested through the end of next month by Unique Technical Services under the supervision of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC), a New York State Center of Excellence at Stony Brook University.

Vanadium flow batteries are a newer technology used in power plants and other major industry as backup energy sources. Existing vanadium flow battery designs are large in size and built for big industry. StorEn is taking this technology to a new level by making a smaller, more condensed prototype, suitable for smaller load markets– the energy industry’s first vanadium flow battery designed for residential and light commercial applications.

The testing of the battery and process for validating its applications has moved forward at the AERTC and under the guidance of several New York State economic development partners and programs, including the Center in Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES), a NY State-designated Center for Advanced Technology located in the AERTC; the Clean Energy Business Incubator Program (CEBIP), and the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) at the Rochester Institute of Technology. NYSP2I will be issuing a comprehensive technical and environmental impact report upon completion of the testing, which StorEn anticipates will be critical to raising the required funds to commercialize their technology.

“The collaborative efforts between all parties involved with the validation of this promising and innovative flow battery technology represents how multiple New York State programs can work together with industry for the benefit of our incubator companies, helping them achieve credibility and ultimately commercial success,” says AERTC Chair, Bob Catell.

“We are happy to conduct this validation program at Stony Brook to demonstrate the technological advancements achieved with our first-generation design,” said StorEn CTO Angelo D’Anzi. “Vanadium flow batteries are a proven technology which have demonstrated such critical fundamentals as: exceptional duration of 25 years, no decay in capacity over time, and utilizing a water-based non-flammable and non-explosive electrolyte. Our R&D focused on building upon these proven characteristics to enhance the electrical performance of vanadium batteries as a strategy to reduce cost, and on reducing their environmental footprint.”

In addition, D’Anzi said, these batteries have achieved a 100 percent Index of Recyclability due to a reusable electrolyte, hence the impact on landfill and recurring mining is minimal.

“The validation of emerging-energy technologies is a key program and focus for NYSP2I,”said Charles Ruffing, NYSP2I Director. “Our independent analysis of these technologies is an important milestone for clients of New York State’s energy-incubator system. We are pleased to work with Stony Brook and StorEn in this prototype evaluation, which will provide valuable information for future prototype development and commercialization.”

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About AERTC: The AERTC, a NYS Center of Excellence funded by NYSTAR, is a true partnership of academic institutions, research institutions, energy providers and industrial corporations. The Center’s mission is innovative energy research, education and technology deployment with a focus on efficiency, conservation, renewable energy and nanotechnology applications for new and novel sources of energy.

About CEBIP: Funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), the Clean Energy Business Incubator Program (CEBIP) at Stony Brook University has been in operation since October 2011 providing assistance and resources for developers of renewable and clean-energy technologies. Through the expertise, business acumen and technological resources of CEBU’s management team, advisory board, researchers at Stony Brook University and other extensive partnerships, CEBIP helps bridge the gap between innovation and market with a full commitment to helping entrepreneurs develop and commercialize clean-energy technology. CEBIP provides resources for clean-energy innovators that include mentorship at various stages of entrepreneurial development, guidance for business and strategic plans, and assistance in preparing for and locating funding opportunities. CEBIP’s goal is to develop a successful clean-energy economy on Long Island, creating high-paying “cleantech” jobs and industry within Long Island and New York State. 

About CIESS: Center in Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES) is a part of the New York State network of Centers for Advanced Technology (CAT), funded by NYSTAR. Our mission is to leverage the technical capabilities of the intellectual assets of Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory in order to provide competitive advantage to established and to-be-established  energy related industry and services in Long Island, and New York State. Our goal is to make New York a global leader in the technologies that will accelerate the progress of renewable energy as one of the mainstream resources displacing fossil fuel-based electric power worldwide by facilitating the integration of renewable sources into the electric grid. We promote industry growth in New York in both thrusts by supporting industry collaborations with university experts. 

About New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I): Sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute is led by the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology, and is a partnership between RIT, Binghamton University, Clarkson University, Cornell University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. NYSP2I also works with the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership to help disseminate data and strategy.

NYSP2I’s goal is to make the state more sustainable for workers, the public, the environment and the economy through pollution prevention. Pollution prevention is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of nontoxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and reusing materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. 

About StorEn Technologies: StorEn was founded by a technical team with demonstrated lateral thinking and technical creativity with decades of experience in Vanadium Flow Batteries and PEM Fuel Cells which guide the fruitful generation of new VFB solutions. Supported by a strong advisory board and incubated at Stony Brook University (New York), StorEn Technologies’ patent pending technology is the “Missing Link” in today’s energy and market as it transitions towards energy generation from renewable sources.

About Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University, widely regarded as a SUNY flagship, is going beyond the expectations of what today’s public universities can accomplish. Since its founding in 1957, this young university has grown to become one of only four University Center campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system with nearly 26,000 students, more than 2,700 faculty members and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs. Our faculty have earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. The University offers students an elite education with an outstanding return on investment: U.S. News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 40 public universities in the nation. Its membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. As part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University is among a prestigious group of universities that have a role in running federal R&D labs. Stony Brook University fuels Long island’s economic growth. Its impact on the Long island economy amounts to $7.38 billion in increased output. Our state, country and world demand ambitious ideas, imaginative solutions and exceptional leadership to forge a better future for all. The students, alumni, researchers and faculty of Stony Brook University are prepared to meet this challenge.