INFLUIT ENERGY LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: NSF 5371

Description

Influit Energy LLC (Influit) is proposing a novel approach for a rechargeable liquid energy storage format to address basing and warfighting capability needs. The proposed closed-cycle energy storage ecosystem is enabled by mobile flow battery pods that can be connected to, and accumulate energy from, either distributed or centralized intermittent sources of renewable energy. Once charged, the rechargeable liquid can be pumped or transported away from the pods to electric vehicles or other devices separated from the energy generation sites, while discharged liquids are returned to the pods for charging. Influit’s solution builds on novel rechargeable nanotechnology-based nanoelectrofuel (NEF) and flow battery designs. NEFs are low viscosity stable suspensions of nanoscale battery materials in water-based electrolytes, resulting in system designs competitive with Li-ion (~130 Wh/kg and 350 Wh/L) with operating temperature ranges from -40C to +80C . Implementation of the closed-cycle liquid energy storage systems will ‘invert’ the paradigm of military energy, whereby the extremities of U.S. military power become the beneficiaries of reliable, abundant, and continuous energy, rather than the most energy-challenged segments. A pilot program proposed for the Phase II Option will validate the NEF battery for entry into both military and civilian markets.