Bill Gates Thinks Flow Batteries are a Breakthrough Energy Technology

In launching the Breakthrough Energy Coalition Bill Gates identified flow batteries as a promising technology. “Unlike lithium-ion batteries, a flow battery could last for decades and the rechargeable electrolyte liquid could last indefinitely. Many working prototypes use vanadium, a relatively rare element, as the active electrolyte. Future systems will need to use a more easily available electrolyte before they are commercially fe…