Redflow: Australian Energy Storage System (ESS)

What you should know about the Redflow system that uses ZBM3 Battery core.

The RedFlow technology is designed by Australian Redflow Limited, and an Australian Stock Exchange-listed company (ASX:RFX).

Redflow was founded in 2005 and developed a unique hybrid zinc-bromide flow battery technology. Redflows latest product is there ZBM3, the world's smallest production zinc-bromide hybrid flow battery.

In 2018 RedFlow moved there manufacturing from the US too Thailand, the re-location was said; "should bring the battery purchase cost down by 30% per kWh, then approx. $1'100kWh, so that should equate to a Cost of $770kWh, that cost will equate to a wider uptake of this great Australian ESS technology.

We offer the Redflow Energy Storage technology, as we consider it a Great energy storage system, the Only negative is the Investment Cost for the 40kWh QuadPod at approx. $1'600kWh ($64'000) Installed in 2023.

This energy storage technology is built to be scale down to home and small business environments or can scale up to grid-scale energy storage systems.

The QuadPod is Redflow's Residential battery and Pod200 is there Commercial 200kWh Module capable of scaling up to Grid Power.

Zinc-Bromide batteries are claiming to be able to beat lithium-ion for residential applications, as “Flow batteries typically last for 20 years without aggressive degradation", Customers want minimum 20-year lifetimes to match their solar system’s expected useful life!

However, what is not widely advertised is the facts that, the investment cost for ALL small to large scale ESS, are able to be self funded based on customers energy savings alone !

Redflow ZBM3 2022 Battery Module. Download ZBM-3 Specification Sheet.	Redflow ZBM3 Battery Module.	Residential Z-cell battery Housing.
40kWh, 48V QuadPod Housing.	CAD Drawing QuadPod.	Stackable Commercial ZBM3 Housing.
200kWh Redflow Pod200 in 280cm container housing.	200kWh Container Housing.

ZBM3 Technical Specks

• Usable Capacity 10kWh, 48v (can be Paralleled or Series Connected for Hi-voltage).
• Depth of Discharge 100%.
• Efficiency 90% round-trip.
• Power 5kW peak / 3kW continuous.
• Supported Applications;
• Solar or other generation self-consumption.
• Time of use, load shifting.
• Backup (Blackout proofing).
• OFF-Grid.
• Manufacturer's Warranty: 10 years or 36,500 kWh of delivered energy (whichever comes first).
• Scalable: Up to and over 2MWh.
• Electrolyte Operating Temperature: 15°C ~ 50°C (59° to 122°F).
• Dimensions: W x D x H: 400mm x 861mm x 747mm (16" x 34" x 29").
• Weight: 240 kg (530 lb) with Electrolyte; 90 kg (198 lb) without Electrolyte.
• Installation: Floor mounted Indoor or Outdoor.
• Certification: UL and IEC certified Grid code compliant.

How does it work ?

We offer RedFlow batteries as a service to our clients, for installation a registered Redflow installer is needed.

Operating electrolyte temperature range 15°C to 50°C (59°F to 122°F): ZBM3 can typically operate at ambient temperatures outside this range for extended periods.

For residential installations you can install a single unit or up to 60+ batteries for commercial applications, that are stacked side by side & vertically in a 6mt shipping container, called large battery storage (LBS).

The ZBM3 comes with a 10 year warranty, the battery has a daily 100% cycle, meaning it's designed to charge and discharge each day. The efficiency of the battery is high, so although it has a 10kW capacity, you can simply add additional batteries until you have the required kWh to match your daily power consumption.

If you don't already have solar panels, the ZBM2 can be purchased as part of a complete system that includes solar panels or in turn use a generator to charge the Redflow in an off-grid situation.

Is the ZBM3 big enough to take my house off the grid ?

It depends on your energy needs and the number of people living in your household, but a 10kW battery should be big enough to make most households independent of the electricity grid.

However, the ZBM-3 is designed for Total Discharging approx. once a month, and then the Electrolyte is Circulated through the Stack to keep it in tip-top condition, this is done Automatic, so is better suited to having at least two ZBM-3 units or better still the 40kWh Quad Pod, then when one Battery is being clean cycled, the remaining batteries share the load.

What is the payback time ?

If you are thinking of purchasing a QuadPod, it's worth calculating how the cost of the unit compares with the saving you will make on your electricity bills. There are many factors that need to be taken into account, but you can get a good estimate of your payback time by knowing what you currently pay for electricity, and if you already have solar panels, and know how much of your solar energy you use and how much you can export to the grid.

It's also worthwhile checking if there are any state or even local government feed-in Tariff (Rebate) available for purchasing solar panels or a battery storage system.

What if I already have solar panels ?

The payback time would be less if you already own a solar system that has already paid for itself in reduced energy costs.

We estimate a payback time of close to 4 years on self consumption if all solar power could be expect, well short of the warranty period of 10 years.

Payback times will be different for every household, but in some instances it seems the payback time may well exceed the warranty period for the Powerwall.

What's also clear is that tapping into your own solar power as much as possible, rather than feeding it back into the grid with a measly feed-in tariff, will decrease your payback time.

Can I use a Redflow batteries to Load-Shift ?

Yes, if you have or you install Off-Peak Power to the premises, with or without solar you can still take advantage of off-peak electricity prices.

The idea is to charge the batteries during off-peak times, and then use the stored electricity during peak times. This is known as load-shifting – but it doesn't make much financial sense unless the off-peak rate is very cheap.

If you intent to use any battery this way, Shop around and you will find energy retailers offering Off-peak power from $0.08~$0.12kWh, that is approx. 300~400% cheaper than the daytime electricity rate!

Simply looking at these battery types, it is easy to see the battery cost per *kWh;

1. 10 kWh Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) battery cost approx. $5'500 ÷ 10kWh =$550 per kWh.
2. 10 kWh Nickel iron (NiFe) batteries cost approx. $10'000 ÷ 10kWh =$1'000 per kWh.
3. 10 kWh RedFlow Bromide battery cost approx. $10'000 ÷ 10kWh =$1'000 per kWh (Australian).

Clearly leaving LiFePO4 batteries well ahead of the rest in price and proven reliability.

* approximate figures.