One Size Doesn't Fit All.

Solar panels and wind turbines are great for producing clean electricity – but what about when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow?  Zinc batteries store electricity as it is generated and discharge it when most needed.  Unlike competing technologies which are optimized for short duration discharge, zinc batteries offer the ability to release power back into the grid for several hours or even whole days at a time.

All the advantages of zinc batteries are utilized in these applications – long duration storage, long life, low Total Cost of Ownership, and safe technology.  Developers and companies who care about the environment and sustainability of their energy supply will also favor zinc’s excellent footprint in these areas.

Renewable energy and battery storage in microgrids is increasingly important in rural areas and for environmentally-minded organizations.  Zinc batteries provide a clean and high performing solution in these areas.

Zinc air batteries, like those produced by Zinc8, can be sized to fit any size system and provide the lowest cost of storage for long-duration applications.  Longer storage translates to higher reliability and flexibility.  The company was one of 4 chosen in September 2020 to partner with New York City on producing innovations that will allow the city to reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.

Toronto-based e-Zinc recently won a grant from the California Energy Commission to demonstrate its long-duration zinc battery for the commercial and industrial market. Their ability to economically provide multi-day backup power will help displace fossil fuels, like gas or diesel generators, which are still the status quo for off-grid applications

Zinc batteries installed in homes or buildings provide power in the event of an outage – with capabilities ranging to multiple days of electricity supply.  The batteries are powered either from the grid or by solar panels.  Savvy customers may use solar panels to lower electricity costs, in particular by utilizing power stored in zinc batteries during the periods of peak rates.

Several U.S. states on the forefront of energy innovation have recognized the benefits of zinc batteries for their residents and businesses, and are helping their wider deployment.  Urban Electric Power utilizes the same zinc-manganese dioxide chemistry found in AA batteries to produce optimally sized units which can power a home or building for up to 2 days.  The company has received millions in funding from the State of New York and federal entities who realize the potential of this technology to provide cleaner energy and secure power supply, all while fitting in the space constraints of a home or urban environment.  

Salient Energy is also manufacturing battery cells which can keep a home running for several days in the event of a power outage or economize costs by linking to solar panels.  The company utilizes a Zinc-ion technology which is manufactured in a fashion almost identical to lithium-ion, and in September 2020 was awarded a grant from the California Energy Commission specifically to advance the company’s products in areas where lithium batteries fall short. 

Placement in your home requires a premium on safety, making zinc a perfect fit.

The massive amounts of data being generated and stored each day means battery technology needs to evolve to support this crucial sector.  Zinc batteries have a superior environmental footprint compared to lithium-ion alternatives.

NiZn batteries, compared to competing products, deliver higher power, wider operating temperature range, lower maintenance and superior safety given their non-flammable characteristics.

ZincFive and ZAF Energy are rapidly deploying zinc batteries into the world’s largest data centers to ensure optimal performance in this important sector.

Uninterrupted Power Supply is crucial for road transportation, where power outages at traffic signals or notification systems have the potential to lead to serious accidents.  Growth in connected vehicles and 5G in transport will significantly increase the needs for “always-on” intelligent transport systems, and augment the importance of batteries to ensure reliability. 

NiZn batteries have proven to be the fastest reacting and most reliable option for transportation UPS systems, with thousands of installations since the relatively recent commercialization of these products.  ZincFive and ZAF Energy both have strong track records in this space. 

Mission critical applications require a combination of performance and safety that only zinc batteries can provide.

Lithium batteries are not well-suited to aviation and marine applications given their potential for thermal runaway and flammability issues. 

The US Navy has been a leader in promoting the development of zinc as the premier chemistry to meet their demanding performance and safety requirements.  The Navy is calling NiZn batteries the “clear frontrunner” to power the next generation of submarines, partnering with ZAF Energy to develop batteries of the most exacting standards.  ZincFive’s NiZn battery power density, light weight, and safety in operation is attractive to partners in naval and aerospace defense applications.

Scientists in Naval research labs also developed a 3D zinc sponge electrode, which is being further developed for use in Defense applications, while simultaneously being commercialized by Enzinc – as the technology also offers advantages in a range of applications from e-bikes to grid scale energy storage.