Redflow says first ZCell batteries to be installed in homes in October

Australian battery technology developer Redflow says the first of its ZCell residential battery storage systems are due to be delivered to customers next month after the first shipment of batteries arrived in Australia on Sunday.

redflow-launch

The Brisbane-based company has experienced a series of delays, including an unedited departure delays at the port of Los Angeles, but deliveries will commence in October after the batteries are installed into the Australian-made enclosures.

Redflow says it will announce names and details of the first group of Australian companies with approval to install ZCell energy systems on the ZCell.com website this week. These companies will be able to provide ZCell proposals for retail customers and install ZCell-based energy systems around Australia.

The companies have been trained by Redflow chairman and CEO Simon Hackett, who is also the company’s largest shareholder, and whose IT company wrote the software to integrate the battery into an energy management system. He is also the company’s first customer.

The ZCell is unlike most competing battery storage technologies because it is a “flow battery” using zinc bromine, rather than lithium-ion. Redflow says this allows for greater depth of discharge and more cycles, which means that while more expensive than most of its rivals, it’s “delivered” cost is comparable.

The company expect the fully installed cost of a 10kWh ZCell based energy storage system will start from $17,500 – $19,500, including GST.

Redflow says it has received more than 1,200 “serious” inquiries into its battery storage technologies>

“While initial ZCell systems installations are already in progress, Redflow expects product demand for ZCell in Australia will exceed available product supply for at least the remainder of this calendar year,” it said in a statement on Monday.

“While Redflow has undertaken extensive field testing of these products and their deployment, we plan to carefully stage, monitor, and manage all initial customer deliveries to ensure this unique residential energy storage product performs as specified at customer premises.”

 

 

 

Comments

3 responses to “Redflow says first ZCell batteries to be installed in homes in October”

  1. Kenshō Avatar
    Kenshō

    This technology looks like it has huge potential. 10kWh at 100% depth of discharge is a sizeable battery and makes a powerwall look like a toy. Some energy efficient houses could be off grid with this battery. I’m looking forward to this battery going into large scale production and considering it for my next replacement battery.

    “Electrode stack warranty: 36, 500 kWh of energy delivered or 10 years (whichever comes first)”
    “Expected energy throughput of 40MWh”
    http://redflow.com/products/redflow-zbm-2/

  2. Robert Avatar

    Almost $2,000/kWh… ridiculous!
    I think Tesla is getting the car batteries down to like $200. (And lead acid is much cheaper still ???, despite not long lasting). Homeowners need a major cost reduction!

    1. Charles Avatar
      Charles

      Redflow is quoting the fully installed system – labour and all extra parts included. Others often quote only the battery. Redflow has been pretty upfront about the differences between Li-Ion and ZBM systems, but one of the benefits is that you can use the entire 10 kWh storage capacity the battery (Lithium ion batteries keep a reserve at the top and the bottom – the 7 kWh Powerwall only has 6.4 kWh usable, for example). And even ten years later it still holds the exact same charge. It’s a long term investment.

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