The use of renewable energy is increasing, but there is still a lack of long-term energy storage solutions. Unbound Potential addresses this Challenge with its novel membrane-less flow redox battery technology. After winning almost one million Euros from SPRIN-D, the startup is now advancing the solution with its pilot customer.
Founded in 2023, Unbound Potential is developing a membrane-less redox flow battery to facilitate the large-scale buffering of renewable energy, ensuring economical operation and security of supply. Advanced energy storage systems utilizing Redox Flow Batteries (RFB) have the potential for large-scale applications due to their ability to scale their storage capacity with the electrolyte tank volume. However, current RFB systems are not competitive with Li-ion technology due to their high initial cost, system complexity, and limited efficiency. Typically, the membrane component of an RFB is the most expensive, accounting for roughly 20-40% of the total initial costs. The technology from Unbound Potential works without requiring these membranes. It instead utilizes the inherent interfacial tension between immiscible electrolyte solutions.
The startup’s primary focus is the electrochemical converter unit, which converts chemical and electrical energy, thus removing the 2D planar membrane between anolyte and catolyte. This is the first company to patent this redox flow technology.
With their participation in the Germany LDES Challenge SPRIN-D early this year, Unbound Potential won a one million grant and a partnership with SPRIN-D to develop the first 500 W tabletop technology demonstrator (TRL 4). The SPRIN-D challenge runs for a total duration of 2.5 years. At the end of the one-year stage 1, a further selection round takes place to determine which of the Challenge teams will also be funded by SPRIN-D in stage 2.
Letter of Intent with Iqony
Unbound Potential has also won renewables energy company Iqony as a pilot customer: the two signed a letter of intent in May, making their partnership official. According to Emilio Dal Re, working with Iqony lays a foundation for achieving the next steps and certifications. With 85 years of experience in the planning, construction and operation of energy technology plants, Iqony is dedicated to the decarbonization, decentralization and digitalization of the energy supply. In addition to solar, wind and geothermal energy, its portfolio includes hydrogen solutions, storage technologies, engineering services and gas-fired power plants, making it an ideal partner for Unbound Potential.
While continuing to advance its technology at its Lab in Thalwil (Switzerland), the Unbound Potential team will continue to fundraise to secure CHF 3 million. The founders Emilion Dal Re, David Taylor and Pier Giuseppe Rivano from ETH Zurich and UZH (University of Zurich) met during the Startup Campus Business Concept programs, and thanks to their complementary skills, they have built a strong team with the skills and zeal to transform the renewable energy storage market.
(RAN)
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