From +5 to +40 °C: Scientists develop battery model that operates across a wide temperature range

Researchers from Skoltech, Harbin Institute of Technology, and MIPT have created the first mathematical model of a vanadium redox flow battery that can predict its performance at temperatures ranging from +5 to +40 °C. The model accounts for how temperature affects key battery parameters such as capacity and power, helping to optimize its operation, reports Gazeta.Ru.

Why Are Flow Batteries Important?

Flow batteries are seen as a promising technology for the power grids of the future. They can store large amounts of energy and smooth fluctuations from renewable sources such as solar and wind power plants. However, because they are often deployed outdoors, they are highly sensitive to seasonal temperature changes, which affect electrolyte viscosity, circulation speed, and overall system efficiency.

What Does the New Model Do?

The researchers developed a non-isothermal dynamic model that incorporates the impact of ambient temperature on battery performance. It can predict:

• Voltage and ion concentration in the electrolyte.
• Electrolyte flow rate.
• Battery capacity and power.

“We created a model that takes into account the dependence of electrolyte viscosity on temperature and predicts key operating parameters of the battery,” explained Mikhail Pugach, senior researcher at Skoltech’s Center for Energy Science and Technology.

Experimental Validation

To test the model, scientists used data from two large vanadium redox flow batteries with capacities of 9 kW and 35 kW. The results showed that the prediction error for voltage and temperature did not exceed 1%. The analysis revealed:

• At low temperatures (+5 °C), electrolyte viscosity increases, reducing battery capacity.
• Under heavy loads, the battery can self-heat, restoring performance after several charge–discharge cycles.

Advantages and Outlook

The new model makes it possible to:

• Optimize battery operation in various climates, from cold winters to hot summers.
• Develop control algorithms that improve system reliability and efficiency.
• Adapt the model for other types of energy storage and fuel cells.

This opens up opportunities for using vanadium flow batteries in power grids, particularly in regions with extreme temperatures, where stable battery performance is critical.

In Brief…

The development by scientists from Skoltech, MIPT, and Harbin Institute of Technology marks an important step toward resilient energy systems. The mathematical model of the vanadium flow battery can accurately predict its behavior across a wide temperature range (+5 to +40 °C). This makes the batteries more reliable for renewable energy applications, especially in harsh climates. In the future, the model could also be adapted for other energy storage technologies.