Vanadium liquid flow energy storage system installation

What is a vanadium flow battery?

The vanadium flow battery (VFB) as one kind of energy storage technique that has enormous impact on the stabilization and smooth output of renewable energy. Key materials like membranes, electrode, and electrolytes will finally determine the performance of VFBs.

What is a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB)?

Among these batteries, the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is considered to be an effective solution in stabilising the output power of intermittent RES and maintaining the reliability of power grids by large-scale, long-term energy storage capability .

How does a vanadium redox flow battery work?

Operating Principle of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) The VRFB consist of positive and negative electrodes and an ion exchange membrane. The electrolytes with the vanadium ions are stored in two tanks and they are recirculated through the set of cells (also known as stack) by mechanical pumps, see Figure 4.

Does the vanadium flow battery leak?

It is worth noting that no leakages have been observed since commissioned. The system shows stable performance and very little capacity loss over the past 12 years, which proves the stability of the vanadium electrolyte and that the vanadium flow battery can have a very long cycle life.

How is energy stored in a vanadium electrolyte system?

The energy is stored in the vanadium electrolyte kept in the two separate external reservoirs. The system capacity (kWh) is determined by the volume of electrolyte in the storage tanks and the vanadium concentration in solution. During operation, electrolytes are pumped from the tanks to the cell stacks then back to the tanks.

Will flow battery suppliers compete with metal alloy production to secure vanadium supply?

Traditionally, much of the global vanadium supply has been used to strengthen metal alloys such as steel. Because this vanadium application is still the leading driver for its production, it’s possible that flow battery suppliers will also have to compete with metal alloy production to secure vanadium supply.