AREVA and Schneider Electric have signed a research and development agreement to develop a new flow battery energy storage solution in order to produce and store electricity by combining hydrobromic acid and hydrogen. The companies say the aim is to deliver a competitive and highly efficient solution for the integration of renewable energies.
Funded by the European Union, the project will work to optimize the existing 50 kW flow battery prototype designed by EnStorage to a 150 kW demonstration module. Under the cooperation agreement, both companies will test the flow battery technology under real conditions.Â
AREVA will lead the project by manufacturing, integrating and installing the storage solution, while Schneider Electric will design, manufacture and install the complementary power conversion system.
Louis-Francois Durret, AREVA Renewables CEO, says, "The energy storage market is fast moving and highly competitive. In order to meet the energy needs of tomorrow, AREVA is diversifying its technology portfolio with the flow battery technology and broadening its cooperation agreement with its partner, Schneider Electric."
According to Frederic Abbal, executive vice president of Schneider Electric's Energy Business, "This latest agreement with AREVA reinforces our commitment to develop safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green energy management solutions. This storage technology will provide the flexibility and stability needed to facilitate renewable integration."
In February, the two companies signed a strategic partnership agreement to market energy management and storage solutions based on hydrogen production and fuel cell technology with AREVA's Greenergy Box.
