Are vanadium batteries sustainable?

Studies have shown that vanadium batteries can be a sustainable solution. When we can create huge stores of energy to access as required, we will be liberated from the need to maintain rapidly-accessible energy generation such as coal or gas.

What has changed in the vanadium industry?

However, much has changed in the vanadium industry due to regulations increasing the demand for high-strength steel [2, 3, 4], the emergence of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) as a strong competitor in grid-level energy storage [5, 6, 7], and the identification of vanadium as a critical material by multiple nations [8, 9, 10, 11].

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.

Is vanadium a critical metal for strategic energy technologies?

No wonder then that the EU considers vanadium a critical metal for strategic energy technologies. The metal is mined, and supplies are currently dominated by China, South Africa, Russia and the US. Vanadium has a medium risk of supply shortage and a high political risk.

Why is vanadium important?

In turn this would increase fuel security and cut CO 2 emissions, helping to meet agreed emissions targets. No wonder then that the EU considers vanadium a critical metal for strategic energy technologies. The metal is mined, and supplies are currently dominated by China, South Africa, Russia and the US.

Could vanadium be a key part of the renewables Revolution?

An unheralded metal could become a crucial part of the renewables revolution. Vanadium is used in new batteries which can store large amounts of energy almost indefinitely, perfect for remote wind or solar farms. And what’s more there is loads of the stuff simply lying around in industrial dumps.