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.

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.”