Uzbekistan, Tashkent – AN Podrobno.uz. Uzbek scientists have developed an innovative electrolyte for vanadium flow batteries, which can be used in solar and wind power plants, for stabilizing energy grids, optimizing industrial operations, and as backup power sources for hospitals, data centers, and strategic facilities.

The idea and its prototype implementation are credited to specialists from the Institute of Ion-Plasma and Laser Technologies at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. The technology is based on vanadium oxide (V2O5) derived from local industrial waste. Experts believe the development has potential for industrial application.

The created electrolyte enables the storage of large volumes of electricity over extended periods. Senior researcher Shukhrat Iskandarov from the Applied Nanotechnology Laboratory noted that vanadium flow batteries are recognized as one of the most promising technologies for large-scale energy storage. Their key advantage is the use of recycled local raw materials, reducing costs and simultaneously cutting industrial waste.

Typically, such batteries require expensive, ultra-high-purity materials. However, in Uzbekistan, an affordable and environmentally safe electrolyte has been created based on vanadium catalysts used in sulfuric acid production. This will allow for localized production and reduce import dependency.

A prototype single-cell vanadium battery was developed and tested under laboratory conditions. It operated stably for 300 cycles, showing an energy efficiency of 90% and a capacity of 28 milliampere-hours per gram. Such devices are designed for up to 25 years of operation and can withstand 10,000–15,000 charge-discharge cycles.

Recall that scientists from the Laboratory of High-Molecular Plant Substance Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, have developed an environmentally friendly film that fully decomposes in water and soil.

Source: podrobno.uz