What are electrochemical energy storage systems?

Electrochemical energy storage systems have the potential to make a major contribution to the implementation of sustainable energy. This chapter describes the basic principles of electrochemical energy storage and discusses three important types of system: rechargeable batteries, fuel cells and flow batteries.

What are the three types of electrochemical energy storage?

This chapter describes the basic principles of electrochemical energy storage and discusses three important types of system: rechargeable batteries, fuel cells and flow batteries. A rechargeable battery consists of one or more electrochemical cells in series.

What is a fuel cell?

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell in which the reactants supplying the energy are not stored in the cell itself but rather are continuously supplied to the electrodes from an external source.

Can regenerative fuel cells provide energy storage?

Electrochemical systems, including flow batteries and regenerative fuel cells, offer promising solutions to this challenge, possessing the capability to provide large-scale, long-duration energy storage, thereby complementing the rapid response of batteries and the high energy density of fuels [5, 6].

What is an example of a fuel cell?

A common example is a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: in that case, the hydrogen and oxygen can be generated by electrolysing water and so the combination of the fuel cell and electrolyser is effectively a storage system for electrochemical energy. Both high- and low-temperature fuel cells are described and several examples are discussed in each case.

Why are fuel cells important?

Fuel cells represent a critical advancement in energy technology due to their clean, efficient, and versatile nature. Their applications—ranging from powering spacecraft and vehicles to providing electricity for buildings—highlight their importance in reducing environmental impact and advancing energy sustainability.