Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology request
- POD Reference
- TRNL20231017009
- Term of Validity
- 24 October 2023 - 23 October 2024
- Company's Country
- Netherlands
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreementCommercial agreement with technical assistance
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
Contact the EEN partner nearest to you for more information.
Find my local partner
General information
- Short Summary
- A Dutch climate tech start-up has developed an electricity storage solution using saltwater. To enable further growth in Europe it wants to strenghten its supply chain. For one of the key components of their flow battery they are seeking a reliable supplier that offers bipolair membranes or is experienced in developing them.
- Full Description
-
The transition to renewable energy is one of the most important and urgent challenges world wide. To provide renewable energy when the sun does not shine and or the wind does not blow it is crucial to have good energy storage technology.
However in the choice for energy storage, it is important to take into consideration the impact of the energy storage solution itself. Using environmentally friendly and non-hazardous materials to store electricity enables the energy transition without adding safety risks or putting further strains on earth’s rare materials.
This company has developed an energy storage system making use of membrane stacks, thereby storing energy in a concentration and pH gradient. More concrete, salt water flows through the flow battery while consuming green electricity and splitting the salt water in an acid and base solution. When electricity is needed the acid and base solution are pumped through the flow battery and electricity is generated.
The membrane stack is the core component of this flow battery, facilitating the charging and discharging processes by means of bipolar (reverse) electrodialysis. The stack is composed of anion-exchange, cation-exchange and bipolar membranes.
To strenghten their supply chain the company is looking for a direct supplier and or strategic partner to co-develop bipolar membranes (BPM). Preferably this partner already holds substantial experience in membrane manufacturing.
The Dutch based scale-up has a Europe focused go-to-market strategy for the next 5 years. The ambition is to provide global coverage thereafter. - Advantages and Innovations
- In general, using saltwater to store electricity is a highly safe, sustainable, scalable and affordable alternative to e.g. Lithium-ion. Saltwater is abundantly available and non-critical material. It is cheap and can be locally sourced, making it possible to source part of the system close to customer locations (reducing transport costs and emissions). Due to its non-flammable and non-toxic nature, it is also inherently safe in usage.
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesGoal 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyGoal 13: Climate ActionGoal 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionGoal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- IPR description
- Thin-film and/or membrane research & development and manufacturing.
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
The partner sought should be active in membrane technology, thin-film technology, water membrane technology, or electrolyser-technology.
When starting a cooperation the partner is expected to do the R&D, manufacture the membranes and/or supply the membranes
Ideally the company would like to supply knowledge on what constitutes a good membrane (theoretical), and provide the physical expertise to test membranes and compare them to conventional and commercial competitors. - Type and Size of Partner
- R&D InstitutionSME 11-49SME 50 - 249Big companyUniversity
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreementCommercial agreement with technical assistance
Call details
- Coordinator required
-
Yes
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 04008002 - Fuels and engine technologies
- Market keywords
- 06003002 - Photovoltaics06003003 - Wind energy06003010 - Distributed power and grid connection06003008 - Other alternative energy
- Sector Groups Involved
- Renewable EnergyEnergy-Intensive Industries
- Targeted countries
- All countries
