A Safe, High-Performance, Rechargeable, Recyclable Zinc-Based Battery for Stationary Energy Storage Applications

The increasing demand for energy storage solutions, coupled with the limitations of lead-acid batteries and the safety concerns of lithium-based batteries, requires the exploration of alternative battery chemistries. Enzinc’s development of a patented zinc sponge electrode offers such an alternative. The three-dimensional zinc sponge structure eliminates dendrite growth and has a high surface area, resulting in a battery with a high energy density comparable to lithium-based batteries, the robustness and low cost of lead-acid batteries, and a higher safety factor than either.

The project aimed to develop a stationary energy storage nickel-zinc battery and demonstrate a fabrication line for the patented zinc metal electrode, enabling zinc to be used as an anode for a family of safe, affordable, high-performance batteries. The project successfully achieved its objectives, including the development of a large format commercial-size zinc sponge anode, a nickel-zinc cell, a nickel-zinc stationary energy storage battery, and a zinc anode fabrication line. During the project, the technology progressed to higher technology and manufacturing readiness levels.

By supplying zinc anodes to legacy manufacturers for use in producing advanced nickel-zinc batteries, Enzinc will contribute to the realization of California’s climate and clean energy goals.