Battery management system for zinc-based flow batteries: A review

Zinc-based flow batteries are considered to be ones of the most promising technologies for medium-scale and large-scale energy storage. In order to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective battery operation, and suppress issues such as zinc dendrites, a battery management system is indispensable. While numerous literature reviews have addressed battery management systems, the majority focus on lithium-ion batteries, leaving a gap in the battery management system for zinc-based flow batteries. This study aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive review of the current status in quo and development trends of the battery management system for zinc-based flow batteries. This research begins by introducing the various types of zinc-based flow batteries based on the pH value of the negative electrolyte and elucidating the mechanisms of zinc dendrite formation and side reaction. Additionally, an appropriate model is crucial for achieving accurate and efficient battery state estimation, this study provides an overview of battery models, encompassing equivalent circuit models, electrochemical models, and phase field models. Furthermore, this study delineates the nine essential functions of the battery management system in detail. These functions play a crucial role in achieving operando monitoring and management of the battery. Finally, some challenges and outlooks for future research are presented to serve as references for the continued advancement of the battery management system tailored specifically for zinc-based flow batteries.