Energy storage technologies provide an alternative solution to the problem of balancing power generation and power consumption. Redox flow cells are designed to convert and store electrical energy into chemical energy and release it in a controlled fashion when required. Many redox couples and cell designs have being evaluated. In this paper, redox flow systems are compared in the light of characteristics such as open circuit potential, power density, energy efficiency and charge-discharge behaviour. The key advantages and disadvantages of redox flow cells are considered while areas for further research are highlighted. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.