Submitted
2025 Global Climate Challenge

PowerCore

Team Leader
Tom Chepucavage
Flow Aluminum develops next-generation aluminum-CO₂ batteries that provide safe, affordable, and high-performance energy storage. Unlike lithium-ion systems, our batteries are non-flammable, operate in extreme cold, and use abundant, domestically sourced materials like aluminum and carbon dioxide—eliminating the need for scarce or hazardous metals such as lithium or cobalt. Our technology works through a reversible chemical reaction: when discharging, aluminum reacts...
What is the name of your organization?
Flow Aluminum
What is the name of your solution?
PowerCore
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Flow Aluminum creates high-performance, safe, and cost-effective aluminum-CO₂ batteries for grid storage and extreme environments.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Albuquerque, NM, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Flow Aluminum is solving the critical challenge of reliable, affordable, and safe energy storage, especially in regions where current battery technologies fall short. Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market but are expensive, flammable, and reliant on scarce materials like lithium and cobalt, which are sourced through environmentally and ethically problematic supply chains. These batteries also fail in cold temperatures and pose fire risks in hot, dry regions—limiting their effectiveness in off-grid, remote, or disaster-prone communities. Globally, over 770 million people lack access to electricity, and many more face unreliable grids due to aging infrastructure or climate-related disruptions. In the U.S., energy insecurity disproportionately affects rural, Indigenous, and low-income communities, where backup systems are too costly or hazardous. The problem is growing: the DOE estimates a 100x increase in grid-scale storage is needed by 2050 to meet climate goals. We are addressing this gap by developing aluminum-CO₂ batteries that are non-flammable, low-cost, cold-weather capable, and built from abundant, domestic materials. This enables scalable, safe storage for microgrids, utilities, and defense applications, helping underserved areas access clean, resilient power while reducing dependence on fragile global supply chains.
What is your solution?
Flow Aluminum develops next-generation aluminum-CO₂ batteries that provide safe, affordable, and high-performance energy storage. Unlike lithium-ion systems, our batteries are non-flammable, operate in extreme cold, and use abundant, domestically sourced materials like aluminum and carbon dioxide—eliminating the need for scarce or hazardous metals such as lithium or cobalt. Our technology works through a reversible chemical reaction: when discharging, aluminum reacts with CO₂ to generate electricity; during charging, the process is reversed to store energy. This unique approach enables a rechargeable, thermally stable battery capable of functioning where conventional systems fail—such as in harsh climates, remote areas, or during emergency response operations. We’re currently producing compact pouch cells and advancing toward full-scale systems designed for microgrids, off-grid communities, utilities, and military communications. Our batteries are ideal for environments that demand reliability, safety, and resilience—bringing clean energy access to places currently underserved by the grid. By leveraging widely available materials and a breakthrough chemistry, Flow Aluminum offers a powerful alternative to today’s energy storage technologies. Our solution supports the global transition to renewable energy while addressing critical safety, supply chain, and environmental challenges. Demo video available upon request.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Flow Aluminum’s solution serves communities and organizations that need reliable, safe, and affordable energy storage—especially those underserved by current technologies. This includes off-grid and remote communities, Tribal Nations, rural utilities, microgrid developers, and military operations. For off-grid and low-resource communities, our batteries can power schools, clinics, and homes where the grid is unreliable or nonexistent. By using non-flammable, cold-resistant aluminum-CO₂ batteries, we reduce fire risk and ensure operation in extreme weather—conditions where lithium-ion systems often fail. This means fewer blackouts, improved access to healthcare and education, and better climate resilience. Utilities and microgrid developers benefit from a safe, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion, enabling broader deployment of renewable energy without compromising performance or safety. Our batteries are also well-suited for disaster relief and military use, where reliability in harsh environments can be life-saving. By using abundant, domestically sourced materials, we reduce dependence on foreign supply chains and lower the cost of energy storage. This creates a more equitable and secure clean energy future, giving communities more control over their power sources and helping close the energy access gap—both in the U.S. and around the world.
Solution Team:
Tom Chepucavage
Tom Chepucavage
CEO