REDOX FLOW BATTERY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME

Provided are: a redox flow battery system in which self-discharge during cessation of operation is suppressed, operation can be easily resumed after cessation of operation, and electric power can be extracted or stored even when circulation of an electrolyte is ceased; and a method for operating the same. In the redox flow battery system: a battery cell 2 and electrolyte tanks 14 are disposed to be substantially horizontal to one another; outgoing pipes 15 are disposed so as to connect the bottom portion of the battery cell 2 with the bottom portions of the electrolyte tanks 14; return pipes 16 are disposed so as to connect the upper portion of the battery cell 2 with the upper portions of the electrolyte tanks 14; and electrolyte recovery routes 20 disposed so as to connect the outgoing pipes 15 to the upper portions of the electrolyte tanks 14. The redox flow battery system is further provided with second liquid feeding pumps 21 for recovering electrolytes through the electrolyte recovery routes 20, and second opening/closing means 22 provided to the electrolyte recovery routes 20.