Düsseldorf – Swiss startup Unbound Potential has raised over €14 million in its initial funding round to develop an innovative membraneless flow battery. The climate-tech company aims to simplify energy storage by removing the ion-exchange membrane found in conventional flow batteries, potentially reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Traditional redox flow batteries rely on a membrane to separate active materials—such as lithium—from one another. Unbound Potential’s design replaces roughly 200 individual parts with two primary components and a handful of smaller elements. “We don’t need large, specialized factories to produce these batteries,” said CEO and cofounder David Taylor. “The required components can be manufactured using existing infrastructure. That is the key to making flow batteries scalable.”
Flow batteries are valued for their ability to decouple power capacity from energy capacity, making them well‐suited for multi-hour grid applications. However, widespread deployment has been limited by high capital costs and complex production processes. By eliminating the membrane, Unbound Potential expects to lower both the upfront investment and the technical barriers to large-scale manufacturing.
The startup’s technology addresses a central challenge of the energy transition: balancing intermittent renewable generation. As solar and wind power become more prevalent, the grid will require substantial energy storage capacity to smooth out fluctuations. Taylor notes, “It’s not clear where all the necessary storage will come from, given the medium-term capacity requirements.”
With the newly secured funding, Unbound Potential plans to expand its pilot production line, refine its battery chemistry, and pursue industrial-scale deployments. The company positions its membraneless flow battery as a promising solution for utilities and large-scale energy users seeking cost-effective, reliable storage systems that support the broader shift toward a low-carbon power grid.
Source: Handelsblatt
