Abstract:

This paper presents the development of a novel system concept based on a Vanadium-air flow battery, applied to provide charge and fire safety for electric vehicles through oxygen reduction in a sealed box. When the vehicle is parked inside the box and the passengers are outside of it, a nitrogen injection is operated to reduce the fire risk quickly, during the subsequent vehicle charge operation, the oxygen is consumed from the box atmosphere by the cathode of the Vanadium-air battery that supplies energy, then the nitrogen reserve is restored consuming oxygen from the external ambient, and the energy output can be supplied to smart grids. The system mainly comprises the Vanadium-air flow battery, the protection box, and the nitrogen reserve. It is sized relatively to the most diffused road and commercial electric vehicles for different onboard battery capacity and charge power values. Moreover, it can be integrated into vehicle-to-grid energy systems improving intersectoral flexibility.