Amazon and Unbound Potential to pilot a new type of Redox-Flow battery technology

Unbound Potential has developed a membrane-less redox flow battery that, unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, does not require any critical raw materials.

Instead of using a membrane, the ion exchange is controlled by non-miscible electrolytes, which Unbound Potential said makes the battery more durable and requires 90 per cent fewer sealing surfaces.

In contrast to lithium, flow batteries do not pose a fire hazard, so the usual minimum distances for potential risk factors are not required. The technology is becoming more efficient as it is scaled up to industrial-sized energy storage systems, the company added.

Amazon said that Unbound Potential’s energy storage solution addresses its challenge of limited solar energy utilisation due to 24/7 operations, enabling the transition to off-grid fulfilment centres powered entirely by renewable sources.

Potentially, the start-up could also help to provide long-duration energy storage that meets the energy intensive needs of Amazon’s logistics operations, the company said.