TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: In the method for electrochemical energy storage and discharge, the cations and anions are separated by an ion separation method. The ion separation is effected by causing the solution to flow through a separator. The flow is generated by gravity. The flow is generated by one or more pumps. The solution passes along a conduit having a first path which diverges into two alternative paths at a junction; where there is provided a first and a second electrode arranged such that a positive charge is located at the first electrode and a negative charge at the second electrode; where the first electrode is arranged at the junction so as to apply Coulomb forces to the ions n the first path tending to cause ions adjacent the electrode to divert into a first of the alternative paths depending on their charge; and where the second electrode being arranged at the junction so as to apply Coulomb forces to the ions in the first path tending to cause ions adjacent the electrode to divert into a second of the alternative paths depending on their charge, and where, in this boundary layer electrohydrodynamic (EHD) ion separation, electrodes are either in direct contact with the electrolyte and polarized by an electret or electrodes are covered with a film of homopolar or heteropolar dielectric and polarized by a HV-DC power supply so that it is a surface process induced by bound electric charges, that is no electrolysis is taking place. The solution passes along a conduit having a first path which diverges into two alternative paths at a junction and where there is provided a magnetic arrangement for generating a magnetic field at right angles to the flow of ions in the first path thus applying Lorentz forces to the ions tending to direct the ions into the first alternative path and the second alternative path depending on their charge. The water and alkali hydroxides are fully recovered and mixed before starting a new cycle. The water and alkali hydroxides are returned to an original tank to form a dosed loop, where an inert gas is provided to fill the original tank and the separate containers when they are emptied of the solutions. There are pairs of separate containers filled with the mono-ionic solutions hydraulically connected in parallel, provided with electrodes electrically connected in series that form a supercapacitor bank which deliver higher voltage. The hydrogen and oxygen are fed into a PEM fuel cell or alkaline fuel cell to generate electrical energy. The hydrogen and oxygen are fed into a burner to generate thermal energy. The hydrogen and oxygen are fed into an ICE to generate mechanical energy. Steps are carried out at a common location to form a closed loop. The separate containers and the electric circuit and an arrangement for extracting energy from the gases are mounted at an energy using Location called MPP and where the aqueous solution and the ion separation occurs at an energy supply location called FRS. Electrochemical energy storage and discharge comprises providing an aqueous solution in an original tank containing hydroxyl anions and alkali metal and/or earth alkali cations; separating the aqueous solution into a first solution of cations which is wholly or at least partly mono-ionic and a second solution of anions which is wholly or at least partly mono-ionic stored in separate first and second containers; connecting an electric circuit between a first electrode in contact with the first solution and a second electrode in contact with the second solution with an electric load in the circuit to discharge the electric energy across the solutions; causing the cations in the first container to be reduced to neutral atoms of alkali metals that react with water to produce alkali hydroxide and hydrogen gas; causing the anions n the second container to be oxidized to water and oxygen gas; and re-combining the gases produced to generate energy and to recover water; where the water and materials in the first and second containers are returned to the original tank to form a closed loop. The solution passes along a conduit having a first path which diverges into two alternative paths at a junction; where there is provided a first and a second electrode arranged such that a positive charge is located at the first electrode and a negative charge at the second electrode; where the first electrode is arranged at the junction so as to apply Coulomb forces to the ions in the first path tending to cause ions adjacent the electrode to dived into a first of the alternative paths depending on their charge; and where the second electrode being arranged at the junction so as to apply Coulomb forces to the ions in the first path tending to cause ions adjacent the electrode to divert into a second of the alternative paths depending on their charge. An inert gas is provided to fill the original tank and the separate containers when they are emptied of the solutions. Preferred Apparatus: In the apparatus of (1), there are provided pipes, valves, buffer tanks, pumps, sensors and a controller to safely execute the sequence of steps of the cycle. There is provided a gaseous piston of nitrogen gas or helium or any other inert gas capable to equalize pressure between the main tank and any other buffer tank or supercapacitor cell while moving solutions in either direction, to prevent contamination and waste of chemicals. In the apparatus of (4), the conduit is Y-shaped. The electrodes are arranged on respective sides of the conduit and commence in advance of the junction and extend through the junction into outer sides of the first and second alternative paths. The electrodes are arranged so as to effect separation of the ions in a boundary layer only. The electrodes are connected to opposite poles respectively of an electret, where the electrodes are in direct contact with the fluid. The electrodes are connected to opposite sides of a HV-DC source and are separated from the fluid by a dielectric layer which is either a homopolar or heteropolar dielectric film. Conduit is rectangular in cross-section so as to define parallel side walls at right angles to the junction. The electrodes are arranged on respective ones of the parallel side walls. The magnet is a permanent magnet with poles on top and bottom of the conduit applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the fluid flow. In the apparatus of (5), the conduit is Y-shaped. The electrodes are arranged so as to effect separation of the ions in a boundary layer only. The electrodes are arranged on respective sides of the conduit and commence in advance of the junction and extend through the junction into outer sides of the first and second alternative paths. The electrodes are in direct contact with the fluid. Conduit is rectangular in cross-section so as to define parallel side walls at right angles to the junction, where the electrodes are arranged on respective ones of the parallel side walls.