Flow batteries hold promise to reliably store energy for longer periods of time and at a scale and cost useful for the electrical grid. Flow batteries are designed for large-scale energy storage applications, but transitioning from lab-scale systems to practical deployments presents significant challenges. Sandia’s Will McNamara recently addressed the Battery Council International’s Flow Battery Industry Group, outlining key emerging technological trends for the flow battery sector. He emphasized four growing markets—utility build-out, commercial and industrial projects, state-funded demonstrations, and wholesale transactions—each with distinct opportunities and challenges for advancing flow battery adoption. Perspectives shared during the talk supports the industry group’s activities to apply and commercialize flow batteries, realizing their benefits for the national grid.
Citation: W. McNamara, “Technology Trends and Regulatory Dynamics Affecting the Flow Battery Industry,” presented to the Battery Council International (BCI) Flow Battery Industry Working Group, Feb. 24, 2026.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity (OE), Energy Storage Division.