People involved in the video:
Name: Eduardo Sánchez
Position: Associate Researcher / Project coordinator
Organization: CIC energiGUNE
Name: Maddalen Agirre
Position: Postdoctoral researcher
Organization: CIC energiGUNE
Name: Laura Pastor
Position: PhD. Student
Organization: CIC energiGUNE
Name: Aitor Beloki
Position: PhD. Student
Organization: CIC energiGUNE
Name: Nerea Marquínez
Position: Laboratory technician
Organization: CIC energiGUNE
Name: Estibaliz Crespo
Position: R&D project coordinator / Project coordinator
Organization: CIC energiGUNE
Short interview for the video:
What is the main contribution/role of your institution in the HIGREEW project?
CIC energiGUNE has been the main responsible for the electrolyte development for the HIGREEW battery. The target is a low-cost and sustainable aqueous electrolyte with organic active materials. The development is structured as follows:
- Design, synthesis & characterization of active materials (structural and electrochemical)
- We work with organic materials such as viologens or nitroxyl radicals, which are based on earth abundant elements. We propose straightforward synthesis and easy purification steps for production and rely on characterization techniques as 1H-NMR for structural characterization.
- Chemical transformations allow us to modulate the properties of those materials, such as solubility, redox potential and kinetics
- Formulation and characterization of electrolytes, evaluation and tuning of physico-chemical properties
- Critical aspect is the development of robust electrolytes that can withstand temperature changes, while have high conductivity and low viscosity, those correlate with stability, performance and auxiliaries’ consumption respectively. In addition, we look for neutral pH friendly electrolytes.
- Integration and testing of electrolyte
- Finally, we work on the first steps of the integration in cell with other
Besides we have worked on the battery management through the development of control algorithms.
What is the most challenging and/or exciting part?
Discovery of active materials that perform well but also meet all requirements in terms of toxicity, cost, scalability…
One of the most exciting parts is searching for a sustainable solution for stationary energy storage with EU technology aligned with European plans to make EU green and sustainable
How are the results relevant to you and how will you make use of the project results in your institution? How are these advances important in the field of energy storage?
The HIGREEW project has offered us the chance to make a product from lab to the final integration, learning from different disciplines and partners, (battery developers & end users, chemical companies, materials providers, other stakeholders)
We are now able to design and propose with a wider view of the needs of RFB and the market.
We have gone through all the stages in the development of an electrolyte and are ready to put our knowledge to the service of community and industries in the next generation of RFBs.
What is your experience within the HIGREEW project and collaborating with a team of EU partners?
Collaborating with a team of EU partners has been a pleasure, very enriching. Despite the pandemic limitations, we manage to create strong network that has been extended beyond the project. We have experienced how institutions throughout Europe can collaborate for a common purpose and get the best of every culture, country and institution. Our common target is to meet the EU targets in sustainability.
More videos from the HIGREEW partners can be found on the video timeline.