According to an industry leader, vanadium, a little-known element, has the potential to power big batteries across Australia and be manufactured domestically. Vanadium, a silvery-grey metal, is gaining attention as a promising element for electricity system operators in the “pit to grid” process. Despite its potential, vanadium is relatively unknown to the general public.
Australia is home to approximately one-third (31%) of the world’s vanadium reserves, as reported by Geoscience Australia. However, none of it is currently mined in the country. The majority of vanadium production (80%) is concentrated in China, Russia, and South Africa. While vanadium is primarily used to make metal alloys, it can also be utilized in the production of vanadium flow batteries, which are becoming increasingly popular for long-term energy storage to support solar and wind power generation. Leading manufacturers, such as Japan’s Sumitomo Electric, have been producing vanadium flow batteries for over 20 years.
Australia has the potential to become a leading supplier of vanadium, and there are ongoing battery projects that could pave the way for local manufacturing. Vanadium flow batteries have been fully commercialized at grid scale for two decades and offer several advantages. Although the upfront cost may be higher, vanadium batteries have a lifespan of over 20 years, are easy to recycle, can withstand harsh conditions, support peak energy demand, and do not require other minerals. Additionally, these batteries are non-flammable, allowing for closer proximity or stacking as modules. After their lifespan, vanadium can be repurposed into another battery or extracted for use in steel production.
Vanadium flow battery factories are under development worldwide, including in the United States, China, South Korea, and India. The technology behind vanadium flow batteries is relatively simple, involving the mixing of vanadium with acid (typically sulphuric acid) as the electrolyte. The battery consists of two tanks of electrolyte, two pumps, and a membrane for ion exchange.
Several projects in Australia are already utilizing vanadium flow batteries. For instance, WA’s Horizon Power has purchased a vanadium flow battery for a pilot project in Kununurra, aiming to provide long periods of 100% renewable energy. In South Australia, energy giant Invinity is building Australia’s first dispatchable solar power plant combined with a vanadium flow battery. Additionally, Australian energy storage company North Harbour Clean Energy has partnered with CellCube, a global leader in vanadium flow batteries, to establish an assembly line on the east coast for the national electricity market.
While vanadium flow batteries may not provide the same power output as lithium batteries, they excel in energy storage capabilities, as stated by Australia’s Chief Scientist Cathy Foley. Queensland alone possesses 15% of the world’s vanadium reserves. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has inaugurated Queensland’s first vanadium electrolyte manufacturing plant in Townsville, where Vecco Group is collaborating with state-owned Energy Queensland to test the new battery technology. Furthermore, an area near Richmond, approximately 45km northwest of Townsville, has been designated as a critical minerals development zone due to its abundance of vanadium.
In conclusion, vanadium has emerged as a potential game-changer in energy storage, particularly for large-scale battery systems in Australia. With the country holding significant vanadium reserves, there is an opportunity for domestic production and supply. Vanadium flow batteries offer long lifespan, recyclability, durability, and safety advantages over other battery technologies. Ongoing projects and developments across Australia indicate a growing interest in harnessing the potential of vanadium for renewable energy integration and grid stability.
