Flowing Electrolyte Battery and Method of Controlling a Flowing Electrolyte Battery

A flowing electrolyte battery, comprising:

• a stack comprising a plurality of electrodes;
• a negative electrolyte circuit coupled to the stack, for circulating negative electrolyte through the stack;
• a positive electrolyte circuit coupled to the stack, for circulating positive electrolyte through the stack;
• and
• a valve coupling the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit;
• wherein the valve includes a closed configuration that prevents flow of electrolyte between the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit, and an open configuration that enables flow of electrolyte from at least one of the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit to the other of the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit;
• and
• wherein the negative electrolyte circuit operates at a different pressure than the positive electrolyte circuit during an electrical charge or discharge operation, and the valve is opened and closed by changes in pressure differences between the positive and the negative electrolyte circuits.