Breakthrough in vanadium energy storage

Could vanadium flow batteries revolutionize energy storage?

A new type of vanadium flow battery stack has been developed by a team of Chinese scientists, which could revolutionize the field of large-scale energy storage. Vanadium flow batteries are a promising technology for storing renewable energy, as they have long lifespans, high safety, and scalability.

Can a 70 kW-level stack promote the commercialization of vanadium flow batteries?

“This 70 kW-level stack can promote the commercialization of vanadium flow batteries. We believe that the development of this stack will improve the integration of power units in energy,” said Prof. Li Xianfeng, the leader of the research team.

Why is vanadium a problem?

However, as the grid becomes increasingly dominated by renewables, more and more flow batteries will be needed to provide long-duration storage. Demand for vanadium will grow, and that will be a problem. “Vanadium is found around the world but in dilute amounts, and extracting it is difficult,” says Rodby.

How long can a vanadium flow battery last?

The researchers found the batteries capable of charging and recharging for as long as 30 years. An employee looks at a vanadium flow battery in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Battery Reliability Laboratory in 2021. Gary Yang, the lead scientist on the project, said he was excited to see if he could make the batteries outside the lab.

Will vanadium flow batteries surpass lithium-ion batteries?

8 August 2024 – Prof. Zhang Huamin, Chief Researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced a significant forecast in the energy storage sector. He predicts that in the next 5 to 10 years, the installed capacity of vanadium flow batteries could exceed that of lithium-ion batteries.

Could a vanadium redox flow battery solve storage problems?

A type of battery invented by an Australian professor in the 1980s has been growing in prominence, and is now being touted as part of the solution to this storage problem. Called a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), it's cheaper, safer and longer-lasting than lithium-ion cells.