Pathways to circular energy storage: a comparative analysis of end of life recovery approaches in flow batteries technologies

The global energy trilemma; balancing energy security, environmental sustainability, and affordability necessitates scalable, efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions. Flow batteries, characterized by decoupled power and energy ratings, long operational lifespans, and high scalability, are emerging as critical enablers for large-scale renewable energy integration. However, the environmental and economic sustainability of these systems hinges on effective End of Life (EoL) recovery strategies that minimize environmental impact and optimize resource utilization. Despite the significance of this issue, comparative analyses of EoL recovery pathways encompassing remanufacture, repair, repurposing, reuse and recycling for flow batteries and their components remain limited.
This study addresses this gap by examining EoL recovery approaches for three key subsystems of flow batteries: cell stacks, electrolyte storage, and balance of plant systems. It utilises the remanufacturability evaluation criteria. It offers insights on the potential lifecycle sustainability of flow battery technologies. This will contribute towards a circular approach for flow batteries. This will be beneficial for academia and industry as this is the first instance of research on the best EoL recovery approaches for Flow battery components. It aims to inform industry practices and policy frameworks, advancing the deployment of sustainable energy storage systems globally and contributing to potentially addressing the global energy trilemma.