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THE PROJECTPaving the Way
to Green Energy
Research Groundbreaking Research
Assoc. Prof. Amir Gat and Assoc. Prof. Matthew Suss combine fluid
mechanics and electrochemistry research to create the flow batteries
of the future – which will be cheaper, safer, more efficient, and make
it possible to integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid

Renewable energy sources depend on variable Unstable energy
environmental conditions such as wind speed Unstable energy
and direction. This makes it impossible to
integrate these sources directly into the electrical StSatbableleaanndd fflleexxiibbllee eenneergrgy y
grid and necessitates an energy-storage system
that mediates between them and the grid. FFloloww bbaatttteerryy
Developing such energy-storage systems on a large
scale is one of the most significant challenges of our ElecEtrleoclytrtoelyttaentkank Pump
time. One of the leading solutions for this issue is Pump
flow batteries, in which an electric current is created Mixer
as the result of an interaction between two fluid Mixer
materials (as opposed to lithium-ion batteries, for
example, in which this interaction is between two Battery active cell Electrodes
solids). These batteries have a significant lifespan Battery active cell Electrodes
and are safe and non-polluting. Assoc. Prof. Amir
Gat and Assoc. Prof. Matthew Suss’s research brings Renewable energy such as solar and wind depends on
together the capabilities of their two research groups weather conditions and varies according to daylight hours.
to develop simpler and more efficient flow batteries Energy storage facilities make it possible to store energy
that will facilitate the expanded use of renewable from these sources and stabilize it so it can be integrated
energy sources.The aluminum, copper and graphite into the electrical grid. They also allow stored energy to be
used in these batteries is just as big a concern, he used during hours of darkness or when the wind is low,
warns. “Most of these materials come from mines, instead of generating the required energy with polluting
and the mining activity produces a lot of waste that fuels.
pollutes the soil and water – both seawater and The flow battery is a leading solution for large-scale
freshwater. In other words, we think we’re solving one energy storage, suitable for mediating between renewable
ecological problem, but by doing so, we’re actually sources and the electrical grid. This illustration shows the
creating another one that’s just as bad.” structure of the flow battery at the heart of the two groups’
Assoc. Prof. Tartakovsky is currently developing a collaborative research.
technology that combines a combustion engine
cycle with a chemical reaction that utilizes the heat
from emission gasses, creating a thermochemical
cycle that produces hydrogen. “According to our
calculations, we can reach energy conversion
efficiency similar to that of an electric car, with no
ecological problems whatsoever.”

14 | MEgazine | Faculty of Mechanical Engineering