Beyond Lithium: Why Zinc Polyiodide is the Superior Choice for Energy Storage
For the last decade, lithium-ion batteries have been the undisputed champion of energy storage, powering everything from our smartphones to our electric vehicles. Their ability to pack a lot of power into a small, lightweight package made them perfect for a world on the move. But the demands of stationary energy storage—for our homes, businesses, and power grids—are fundamentally different.
For these large-scale applications, the priority isn't portability. It's safety, longevity, scalability, and sustainability. And on these crucial metrics, a new generation of technology proves far superior. The BESSt Company’s (TBC) Zinc Polyiodide (Znl2) REDOX flow battery is engineered specifically to meet these demands, marking a pivotal shift in how we store and deploy energy.
Here’s a head-to-head comparison of why the future of stationary storage isn't lithium—it's zinc.
Safety: An Unmatched Advantage
The most significant differentiator is safety. Lithium-ion batteries contain flammable electrolytes and are susceptible to a hazardous process called thermal runaway. This is an uncontrolled feedback loop where rising temperatures can lead to fires, explosions, and the release of toxic gases. This risk is so significant that improper handling or manufacturing defects in lithium-ion batteries can lead to catastrophic failures.
The TBC Advantage: Our Zinc Polyiodide REDOX flow batteries are fundamentally safer. They are:
Non-flammable and Non-explosive: Built with an aqueous electrolyte, our systems do not have the fire risks associated with lithium-ion. Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), a similar flow battery technology, are also recognized for being non-flammable, but lacks the energy density.
Non-toxic: We use earth-abundant, non-toxic materials, which eliminates the hazards present in other battery chemistries.
Lifespan and Durability: An Investment Built to Last
Lithium-ion batteries have a limited cycle life and begin to degrade over time. A typical lifespan is around 7 to 10 years, after which the entire battery system often needs a costly replacement.
The TBC Advantage: We designed our technology for endurance.
Over 30-Year Lifespan: Our REDOX flow batteries are built to last for more than three decades, more than double the lifespan of typical lithium-ion systems.
Virtually Unlimited Life: Unlike lithium-ion, our batteries don't degrade in the same way. Maintenance typically involves servicing simple mechanical components like pumps and valves, not replacing the entire costly battery stack. Flow batteries in general can handle an almost unlimited number of charge-discharge cycles without significant degradation.
Performance and Scalability: True Flexibility
Lithium-ion batteries are known for high power but are constrained by a fixed energy-to-power ratio. To get more energy duration, you must add more batteries, which also adds more power, increasing costs inefficiently.
The TBC Advantage: Our REDOX flow technology decouples power and energy, offering unparalleled flexibility.
Scalable Energy: To increase the energy storage capacity (the number of hours you can run), you simply increase the volume of the electrolyte in the tanks. This makes it incredibly cost-effective to scale up for long-duration applications. With lithium batteries you have to keep adding more batteries, increasing costs.
High Energy Density: TBC's Zinc Polyiodide electrolyte boasts an energy density that is more than 20 times that of older vanadium-based systems and is comparable to or even exceeds some lithium-based technologies.
Sustainability: A Conscience-Free Solution
The environmental and social cost of lithium-ion batteries is significant. Their production relies on mining rare earth materials like lithium and cobalt, which can cause water depletion and soil degradation and are often sourced from regions with volatile supply chains. Recycling these batteries is also complex and costly.
The TBC Advantage: Our approach is rooted in sustainability.
Earth-Abundant Materials: We use zinc and iodide—two materials that are abundant, readily available, and can be sourced from the U.S. and its key allies. This eliminates reliance on contentious supply chains.
Designed for a Circular Economy: Our systems are designed for ease of disassembly and recycling. The vanadium electrolyte in similar flow batteries, for example, can be reused in new batteries, showcasing the eco-friendly potential of flow technology.
The Verdict: A Clear Choice for a New Energy Era
While lithium-ion batteries kickstarted the energy storage revolution, their limitations for large-scale, stationary applications are clear. The BESSt Company's Zinc Polyiodide technology is the next evolution. It is a safer, longer-lasting, more flexible, and truly sustainable solution engineered for the demands of homes, businesses, and grids.
The future of energy requires a battery that can go the distance. The future requires The BESSt Company.
