Underwriters Laboratories, SES and Redflow at Stress Texas Facility 24th January 2022. Left to Right: Judy Jeevarajan, Ph.D., vice president and executive director of Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI), Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; Daniel Juarez-Robles, Ph.D., research scientist, ESRI, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; Steven Kinyon, Ph.D., P.E., principal, SES; Steve Hickey, CTO, Redflow; Carlos Lopez, P.E., senior associate, SES; Tim Harris, CEO Redflow

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has selected Redflow ZBM batteries to carry out research to characterize the operating and safety profile of redox flow batteries under nominal and off-nominal conditions. 

The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute at Underwriters Laboratories has undertaken the test program in collaboration with Stress Engineering Services Inc. (SES) and Redflow to understand key technical attributes of redox flow batteries, study their cycle life and aging properties and to understand how the batteries behave under off-nominal conditions of overcharge, over-discharge and external short-circuit conditions. Six Redflow batteries were purchased by Underwriters Laboratories in 2021 and arrived at the SES facility in Texas in December. The test program commenced in January 2022 and will run for a number of months.

“We are delighted to be working with industry leaders Underwriters Laboratories and SES to verify the performance and safety characteristics of flow battery storage using our Redflow batteries,” said Tim Harris, managing director and CEO of Redflow. “Redflow’s CTO Steve Hickey and I were able to meet the Underwriters Laboratories and SES teams at their Texas facility last month to advise on the setup of the Redflow batteries and provide broader input on the test program.”

This research will enhance the knowledge base around the operating and safety characteristics of zinc-bromine flow batteries, enabling interested parties to better understand and compare a broad range of battery chemistries.

“As redox flow battery technology evolves, it’s important to determine its safety and performance limits under various conditions,” said Dr. Judy Jeevarajan, vice president and executive director of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute at Underwriters Laboratories. “Our partnership with Redflow and SES will deepen our understanding of this energy storage alternative.”

About Redflow 
Redflow Limited, a publicly-listed Australian company (ASX: RFX), produces small 10kWh zinc-bromine flow batteries that tolerate daily hard work in harsh conditions. Redflow batteries are designed for high cycle-rate, long time-base stationary energy storage applications in the telecommunications, commercial & industrial and high-end residential sectors, and are scalable from a single battery installation through to grid-scale deployments. Redflow batteries are sold, installed and maintained by an international network of energy system integrators. Redflow’s smart, self-protecting batteries offer unique advantages including secure remote management, 100 per cent daily depth of discharge, tolerance of high ambient temperatures, a simple recycling path, no propensity for thermal runaway and sustained energy delivery throughout their operating life.

About Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

The Underwriters Laboratories’ Research organization is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing public safety through scientific discovery. With best-in-class experts, we are the world’s premier research organization focused on safety science analysis. We conduct rigorous independent research, analyze safety data, and explore at the edges of technology to be the first to uncover and act on emerging risks to human safety. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

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