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Over the past decade, the renewable energy sector has witnessed remarkable progress, with solar power emerging as a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for generating electricity.
However, the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources relies heavily on the availability of secure and efficient battery storage solutions.
This is where VFlowTech comes in, recognizing the pressing need for long-lasting, affordable, and reliable energy storage systems.
VFlowTech drew inspiration from the undeniable potential of renewable energy to develop their redox flow energy storage solution.
As renewable sources now produce electricity at a lower cost than traditional methods, the exponential growth of renewables necessitates effective energy storage solutions to ensure consistent performance.
By 2030, the global market for stationary energy storage is projected to surpass $120 billion, underscoring the vital role that energy storage systems play in unlocking the full potential of renewable power sources.
VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) sets itself apart by addressing the limitations associated with other battery solutions in the market, such as lithium-ion, lead-acid, NiMH, and supercapacitors.
VRFB technology enables independent scaling of power and energy, offering unparalleled flexibility.
These batteries are inherently safer, non-toxic, and non-combustible, providing a secure and environmentally friendly solution for energy storage.
VRFBs excel at storing energy for extended durations (hours to days) and can be deployed on a large scale (over 100 kWh).
With a longer cycle life, high depth of discharge, and lower cost per kWh stored, VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow batteries outperform other alternatives, making them ideal for applications in power grids, microgrids, and bulk power management.
Join us in this episode of Climate Tech 100 and learn more about VFlowTech‘s technology.
Can you tell us more about VFlowTech and what inspired you to create a redox flow energy storage solution?
Over the past decade, the renewable energy sector has been mostly propelled by solar power.
Solar power has recently been the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for generating electricity.
However, sustainable expansion is impossible without secure battery storage.
We identified the need for long-lasting energy storage systems that are both affordable and reliable.
Renewable energy sources now produce cheaper electricity than traditional ones.
It’s indisputable that renewable energy is the future, but without effective energy storage solutions, their exponential expansion will stall.
To realize the full potential of renewables, energy storage systems are essential.
By 2030, the global market for stationary energy storage is projected to increase to more than $120 billion, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 24.38%.
Long-term energy storage, in our opinion, is the best way to counteract this drawback and guarantee the consistent performance of renewable power sources.
How does VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow battery differ from other battery solutions on the market, such as lithium-ion, lead-acid, NiMH, and supercapacitors?
There are numerous battery technologies currently in use, each of which has specific strengths and weaknesses.
Because power and energy are decoupled in Vanadium redox flow battery technology, both can be scaled independently of one another.
Additionally, VRFB technology are electrochemical batteries that are intrinsically safer and don’t degrade in function.
There is a need in the industry for high power and high energy applications that can be stored in batteries that are both safe and affordable.
For short bursts of high power, such as a few seconds, supercapacitors are useful.
Both lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries perform well for short-term use.
However, they aren’t eco-friendly and have problems with thermal runaway and performance degradation.
Flow batteries, on the other hand, can store energy for lengthy periods of time (hours to days) and can be used on a huge scale (more than 100 kWh).
Vanadium redox flow batteries, such as VFlowTech’s PowerCube, offers a cheaper cost per kWh of energy stored over time since they have a longer cycle life and can function at high depth of discharge than other battery alternatives on the market.
The stationary energy storage applications where vanadium flow batteries excel are power grids, microgrids, and bulk power management.
Can you explain how VFlowTech’s technology is able to address the issues of limited energy density, environmentally unfriendly materials, and diminishing effectiveness that are associated with other battery solutions?
Flow batteries are intended for stationary applications where energy density is not a significant factor.
Vanadium redox flow batteries use vanadium metal, which is not considered a rare earth metal and is fully recyclable, as a key ingredient.
The VRFB has several advantages over conventional electrochemical energy storage systems.
VRFB utilizes a metal that is non-toxic, non-combustible, and abundant as the active material, making them a safe and sustainable option for energy storage.
The vanadium electrolyte is stored in separate containers, allowing for simple scalability and system design flexibility.
Due to the stable vanadium electrolyte, they have a lifespan of over 25 years, making them a highly reliable and durable solution for energy storage.
Our VRFB batteries have a 100% depth of discharge, which means they can deplete all of their stored energy without sacrificing performance or durability.
This is unlike other battery varieties, such as lead-acid batteries, which can be damaged by a deep discharge.
What types of applications is VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow battery best suited for, and how does it compare to other energy storage options for these applications?
The chemistry of vanadium redox batteries has recently attracted worldwide attention, and numerous businesses are actively researching, developing, and deploying it for a wide range of uses.
Longer charge and discharge times are necessary for several uses, including renewable backup (domestic and industrial), rural microgrids, telecom tower backup, and diesel generator replacement.
Our VRFB work best with applications that need backup times of 4-8 hours.
Flow batteries are well suited for applications requiring storage times of 15 to 20 hours, which is expected to become necessary as renewable energy’s share in the electrical grid grows.
| Segments | Application | Size of storage | Duration | Cycles per year |
| Grid scale or front-of meter storage | Renewable Energy Integration | 100s of MW | 1 to 6 hours | 365 |
| Distribution side utility storage | 10s of MW | 1 to 2 hours | 365 | |
| Behind-the-meter Storage | Rooftop solar with Storage at C&I customer sites | MW | 4-8 hours | 365 |
| Diesel Genset replacement | kW | 2-4 hours | 365 | |
| Telecom Tower backup | kW | 2-4 hours | 300 | |
| Rural Microgrids | kW | 6+hours | 365 |
Can you tell us more about the scalability of VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow battery, and how it can be used for both large-scale and small-scale energy storage needs?
VFT’s 25 kW/125 kWh modular battery system makes it simple to expand to larger capacities.
Furthermore, power and energy can be separated via VRFB.
Additionally, VFT is constructing a flow battery of its own design, complete with specialized tank infrastructure and a stack constructed in a factory.
This battery’s capacity can be safely raised from 2.5 MWh to 20 MWh while staying in the same physical location.
These systems are modular and can be expanded to the GW scale.
How does VFlowTech ensure the safety and reliability of its vanadium redox flow battery technology?
VFlowTech has implemented several measures to ensure the safety and reliability of its vanadium redox flow battery technology.
Below are some examples:
- Electrolyte formulation: VFlowTech uses a proprietary electrolyte formulation that is non-flammable. This reduces the risk of fire or explosion, making the batteries safe to use in a wide range of applications.
- VFlowtech batteries have a smart design that incorporates IoT features, such as a double-walled container that provides added security and the ability to make data-driven decisions to improve safety.
- Testing and certification: VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow battery technology undergoes rigorous testing and certification to ensure its safety and reliability. We are committed to maintaining the safety and reliability of our products, which is reflected in the design and performance of our flow battery technology, making it a safe and reliable energy storage solution.
Can you explain how VFlowTech’s vanadium redox flow battery can be 100% recyclable, and what impact this has on the environment?
VflowTech’s batteries are recyclable due to their design.
The vanadium electrolyte in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is contained in separate tanks, rather than within the electrodes or electrolyte.
This means that the vanadium electrolyte can be drained from the containers and reused in a new battery at the end of the battery’s life.
Other components of the VRFB, such as the plastic containers and metal frames, are also recyclable or repurpose able.
The environmental impact of the recyclable nature of VRFBs is significant.
Traditional battery technologies frequently involve the extraction and refining of toxic and rare metals, such as cobalt and lithium, which can cause environmental damage.
Additionally, the disposal of used batteries can pose environmental risks.
The ability to recycle VRFBs reduces the environmental impact of battery production and disposal, making them a more sustainable energy storage option.
How does VFlowTech plan to bring its vanadium redox flow battery technology to market, and what are the key challenges you see in scaling up production and adoption?
There are several industry barriers to the adoption of energy storage solutions. Below are a few.
- Cost: One of the major barriers to adoption of battery energy storage solutions is their cost. Many companies and consumers are reluctant to invest in energy storage systems due to the high upfront costs involved.
- Technical complexity: Energy storage systems can be complex to install and maintain, requiring specialized knowledge and skills. This can make them challenging for some companies and consumers to adopt.
- Regulatory barriers: The energy storage solutions industry is heavily regulated, and regulations can vary by region or country. This can create barriers to adoption as companies and consumers navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
To increase accessibility of our solutions, VFlowTech is employing the following strategies:
- Cost optimization: We are working closely with global vendors to develop our supply chain and optimize our manufacturing processes to reduce costs and offer more competitive pricing. VFlowtech is also planning to introduce a one its kind energy storage as service solution, making it more accessible to customers who may not have the capital to make large upfront investments.
- Simplifying installation and maintenance: VFlowTech is developing systems that are easier to install and maintain, making them more accessible to a wider range of customers. We are also providing training and support to help customers better understand and manage their energy storage systems.
- Working with regulators: We are working with regulators to ensure that our solutions comply with local regulations and to help shape regulations that encourage the adoption of energy storage solutions.
- Educating the public: We are dedicated to increase public awareness of the benefits of energy storage solutions and the uniqueness of vanadium redox flow batteries, through marketing campaigns, educational programs, and partnerships with organizations that promote sustainable energy solutions. By increasing public awareness and understanding, VFlowTech can help overcome the barriers to adoption and make its solutions more accessible to a wider range of customers.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for VFlowTech, and how do you see your technology contributing to the growth of renewable energy and the fight against climate change?
VFlowTech has recently reached a number of important benchmarks, including raising over US$15M in grants and stock and increasing our team size and revenue by 4x over the previous year.
We are overjoyed to have attracted investors from all over the world for our recent US$10M Series A investment.
In the future, we hope to increase our presence in the markets of the United States, Turkey, China, Japan, and India.
Our 250 kWh modular vanadium-based long-duration energy storage system will be manufactured at a higher rate to accommodate this expansion, and we will install a 200 MWh production line to do this.
To make renewable energy systems more practical and efficient, we have implemented proprietary stack technology in our PowerCube, which can store any surplus energy produced by renewable sources.
Here at VFlowTech, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable power.
Our dedication to these tenets is evidenced by our recent project on Pulau Ubin, where our cutting-edge 1MWh system was used to successfully provide electricity to the island.
In the future, we plan to expand our innovative stack technology to provide clean energy to more people throughout the world.
Learn more about VFlowTech here.