Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have successfully used beta-cyclodextrin, a common food additive, to stabilize organic flow batteries. This breakthrough allows for long-duration energy storage with minimal capacity loss over extended periods of continuous use.
TLDR: Scientists at PNNL have solved a major durability issue in organic flow batteries by adding beta-cyclodextrin, a simple sugar derivative. This inexpensive additive prevents molecular degradation, enabling grid-scale batteries to maintain capacity for over a year, paving the way for cheaper, sustainable long-duration energy storage.
Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have achieved a significant milestone in the quest for sustainable grid-scale energy storage. By incorporating a common food additive into the chemical makeup of a flow battery, the research team has dramatically extended the lifespan and stability of organic energy storage systems. This development addresses one of the most persistent challenges in the transition to a renewable-heavy power grid: the need for long-duration storage that is both cost-effective and durable.
Flow batteries represent a distinct departure from the lithium-ion batteries found in smartphones and electric vehicles. While lithium-ion batteries store energy in solid materials, flow batteries store energy in external tanks of liquid electrolytes that are pumped through an electrochemical cell. This design is inherently scalable, as increasing storage capacity simply requires larger tanks. This makes them ideal for “long-duration” storage, which involves holding energy for six to ten hours or even days at a time. However, the most common flow batteries currently use vanadium, a metal that is expensive and subject to volatile global supply chains.
To find a more sustainable alternative, the PNNL team focused on organic flow batteries using carbon-based molecules. Specifically, they utilized fluorenone, a promising molecule for energy storage. While fluorenone is effective at carrying a charge, it has a fatal flaw: the molecules tend to clump together and degrade when dissolved in the battery’s liquid electrolyte. This degradation leads to a rapid loss of storage capacity, often rendering the battery useless after only a few weeks of operation.
To solve this, researchers introduced beta-cyclodextrin, a ring-shaped sugar molecule derived from starch. This additive is already widely used in the food industry to stabilize flavors and in the pharmaceutical industry to improve drug delivery. In the battery, beta-cyclodextrin acts as a “molecular chaperone,” forming a protective, cage-like complex around the fluorenone molecules. This “cage” prevents the fluorenone from interacting prematurely with other molecules or breaking down during the repeated cycles of charging and discharging.
The results of the laboratory tests were unprecedented. The modified battery maintained 99 percent of its capacity over more than 600 cycles of continuous use, a testing period that spanned more than a year. In contrast, similar organic batteries without the additive often lose a significant portion of their storage capacity within just a few dozen cycles. This level of longevity is crucial for utility companies, which require storage systems capable of operating for decades with minimal maintenance.
The economic implications of this breakthrough are substantial. Beta-cyclodextrin is inexpensive, non-toxic, and already produced at an industrial scale. By utilizing such accessible materials, the cost of long-duration energy storage could drop significantly. This would make it more feasible for grid operators to store massive amounts of excess wind and solar energy during the day and discharge it during periods of high demand or low production.
Furthermore, the shift toward organic materials reduces the environmental and geopolitical risks associated with mining rare metals. As the global demand for energy storage grows, finding domestic and sustainable sources for battery components becomes a matter of economic security. The PNNL study suggests that the path to a stabilized, carbon-neutral grid may lie in the clever application of existing industrial chemicals and green chemistry.
Moving forward, the PNNL researchers plan to experiment with different molecular structures to further enhance energy density. They are also working on scaling the technology from laboratory prototypes to larger pilot plants. If successful, these stabilized organic flow batteries could become a cornerstone of the future energy infrastructure, providing a reliable and sustainable buffer for the world’s growing renewable energy portfolios.
Mark Davis serves as the Senior Correspondent for Energy, Climate, and Resource Economics at Just Right News. In an era where the conversation around the environment is often dominated by alarmism and top-down mandates, Mark provides a vital, market-oriented perspective on the complex forces shaping our world. As the lead voice behind the acclaimed feature series “Power and the Planet,” he explores the intersection of environmental policy, global energy markets, and the fundamental economic principles that sustain modern civilization.
Mark’s pragmatic approach to resource management was forged in the high desert of his hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Growing up in a region defined by both its breathtaking natural beauty and its rugged, resource-dependent landscape, he developed an early appreciation for the delicate balance between conservation and utilization. New Mexico’s unique position as a hub for both traditional energy production and cutting-edge scientific research provided Mark with a front-row seat to the evolution of the American energy sector. This upbringing instilled in him a deep-seated belief that true environmental stewardship is inseparable from economic prosperity and technological innovation.
Now based in Boulder, Colorado, Mark operates from the heart of the nation’s climate research community. While Boulder is often seen as a bastion of environmental idealism, Mark utilizes his post to provide a necessary counterweight, grounded in the realities of resource economics. He understands that energy policy does not exist in a vacuum; it has tangible consequences for the American taxpayer, the stability of the national power grid, and the strength of the domestic manufacturing sector. By reporting from the front lines of the climate debate, he is able to challenge prevailing narratives with hard data and a commitment to the principles of the free market.
Throughout his tenure at Just Right News, Mark has distinguished himself by focusing on the “Resource Economics” aspect of his beat. He frequently highlights the hidden costs of rapid energy transitions and advocates for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that prioritizes American energy independence. His work often shines a light on the geopolitical implications of resource scarcity, arguing that a secure nation must first be an energy-secure nation. Whether he is analyzing the impact of federal land-use regulations or investigating the supply chains required for new technologies, Mark remains focused on how policy decisions affect the lives and livelihoods of everyday citizens.
In “Power and the Planet,” Mark continues to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and the economic realities facing the country. He rejects the false choice between a healthy environment and a thriving economy, instead seeking out solutions that leverage American ingenuity and private-sector competition. For Mark, reporting on the climate is not about following the latest trends, but about ensuring that the conversation remains tethered to the foundational values of liberty, property rights, and fiscal responsibility. His contributions ensure that Just Right News readers receive a comprehensive, clear-eyed view of the challenges and opportunities defining the future of our planet.