The Conversation (0)
Demand for vanadium redox flow batteries has grown, especially as an energy storage technology complimentary to renewable energy generation.
By Damon van der Linde – Exclusive to Vanadium Investing News
This regenerative fuel cell is capable of storing energy in multi-megawatt ranges and for durations from hours to days and from any available input source, both from the grid or renewable energy resources. Ashlawn currently has a demonstration project at a power plant in Ohio, showing how this transformational technology can reduce carbon emissions and significantly improve the plant’s efficiency. Multiple vanadium redox flow systems have been installed in Hungary, Turkey, Italy, USA, China, Kenya and remote areas of other African countries for renewable resources energy generation projects.
These systems are installed for a broad range of applications. Sixteen systems were installed in remote cellular telecommunication sites in Kenya with Safaricom Limited, the area’s leading mobile phone operator. The initial two systems have been operated by Safaricom for more than 3 years and have yielded results that include cutting diesel usage by over 65 percent.
The main advantages of the vanadium redox battery are that it can offer almost unlimited capacity simply by using larger and larger storage tanks, can be left completely discharged for long periods with no ill effects and can be recharged simply by replacing the electrolyte, if no power source is available to charge it. Other features that make this technology ideal for grid operations include the independent sizing of power and energy capacity, a long operating life, high efficiency and fast charging response.
Vanadium is well-established as a strategic metal that strengthens and hardens alloys like steel and is positioned to play a significant role in emerging battery technologies including electric cars and large-scale energy storage. Today, more than 95 percent of existing vanadium demand is from the global steel industry, driven by increased steel production primarily in China, India and the developing world. At the same time, various economic and legislative factors are increasing the use of vanadium in the steel industry, like stronger rebar in construction. As a result, the demand for vanadium is expected to grow at 7 percent each year from 2010 to 2025 based on the steel industry alone.
New demand channels for vanadium from battery manufacturers is expected to result in additional demand for vanadium, especially high purity vanadium, which is not always readily available in today’s market.
According to report published in July 2010, 98 percent of the world’s vanadium comes from only three countries: China, South Africa and Russia. Chinese share in the world vanadium production was about 37.04 percent in 2009. Russia’s one accounted for 25.93 percent, and South Africa contributed 35.19 percent to the total world vanadium production.