In 2024, Rivus Batteries and Bengt Dahlgren will install Sweden's first organic flow battery in pilot-scale at HSB Living Lab in Gothenburg. This new battery technology is based on organic molecules instead of critical metals and can make a significant contribution to advancing energy storage which is more sustainable and cost-effective than today's battery solutions.
Flow batteries are used today in the form of stationary energy storage and are established on the market in many parts of the world, but not yet in Sweden. Organic flow batteries, on the other hand, are a new type of battery technology that uses organic molecules – made of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen – as energy carriers instead of critical metals such as lithium or vanadium.
- We aim to contribute with solutions for a safe and cost-effective energy supply that are in line with the Paris Agreement. Through HSB Living Lab, we can effectively test our technology for the first time in real scale, says Lisa Åkerlund, CTO and project manager at Rivus Batteries.
HSB Living Lab is a test arena at Johanneberg Science Park in Gothenburg with unique opportunities to test new technologies, due to the property's extensive research infrastructure and sensor network.
First pilot-scale test in Sweden
The technology is based on water-based organic electrolytes made from cheap and readily available organic raw materials. The solution is not only cost-effective and eco-friendly – it is also non-flammable and has a long cycle life. The technology has already been successfully tested in a 1 kWh prototype in Rivus’ lab, and a 10-20 kWh version will be installed at HSB Living Lab in 2024 for real-scale testing.
Bengt Dahlgren, a crucial partner in the project and one of HSB Living Lab's partner companies, will explore and simulate organic flow batteries' applications and use areas, comparing their cost and environmental impact to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Rivus aims to make their electrolytes not only more eco-friendly but also 60% less expensive than today, potentially reducing total system costs by 30%.
- Energy storage for electricity is an important issue for the energy systems of the future and something we work actively with. We are delighted to participate in this project and contribute to the development of new sustainable alternatives for energy storage, says Andreas Fränne, senior consultant at Bengt Dahlgren AB.
Part of the solution for the sustainable energy system of the future
Flow batteries offer a complementary alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, excelling in levelized cost of storage for larger systems with durations above 4 hours. They unlock new potentials for energy storage at a pivotal moment marked by rising electricity demand, expanding renewable energy generation, and uncertain power supplies. Thus, energy storage plays a vital role in facilitating the transition to a sustainable energy landscape.
- By using abundant organic raw materials, our technology becomes cheaper and greener the more we scale up, while also developing local value chains, says Lisa Åkerlund, CTO and project manager at Rivus Batteries.
Rivus’ plan is to also install a larger battery of 40-100 kWh at a real estate company in Gothenburg at the end of 2024 and then launch its product on the market in 2025.
For more information: https://www.hsb.se/hsblivinglab/projekt-i-huset1/rivus/
Press contact: Dr. Lisa Åkerlund, CTO and project manager. lisa@rivus-batteries.com, www.rivus-batteries.com
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About HSB Living Lab
HSB Living Lab is a real-estate building and unique test bed for testing new solutions considering sustainable housing of the future. Here, research and development can take place in a real environment with unique opportunities to measure and retrieve data from approximately 2,000 sensors in the house. The test arena is made possible through a collaboration of partners made up of renowned academic institutions and real estate and engineering firms including: HSB, Chalmers, Johanneberg Science park, Göteborg Energi, Tengbom, Tieto, Electrolux, PEAB, Vedum, Bengt Dahlgren, Elfa and Akademiska Hus. All with their unique knowledge of research, development, and technology. To learn more, please visit www.hsb.se
About Bengt Dahlgren
Bengt Dahlgren AB is a prominent Swedish engineering consultancy company specializing in building services engineering, offering expertise in areas such as heating, ventilation, electrical engineering, energy optimization, and fire protection. The company provides consulting services across the entire construction and property sector, including analysis, planning, design, and project management. Established in 1952, Bengt Dahlgren AB aims to contribute to the development of sustainable, functional, and energy-efficient buildings. The firm is known for its commitment to innovation and quality, working on projects ranging from small buildings to large, complex infrastructure developments. To learn more, please visit www.bengtdahlgren.se/en
About Rivus Batteries
Rivus develops water-based organic electrolytes for flow batteries. Instead of filling flow batteries with heavy metals, such as vanadium imported from China and Russia, the batteries are filled with organic materials that can be easily synthesized from standard bulk chemicals available in unlimited quantities. Rivus was founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Chalmers University of Technology. The technology was further developed during research projects at the University of Turku and the Technical University of Denmark. To learn more, please visit www.rivus-batteries.com
