Large-scale battery storage technologies will play a crucial role in the global drive to achieve net zero emissions by enabling us to move away from fossil fuels and grow the renewable energy sector. End of life battery recycling will increasingly become a global concern, therefore having a circular economy for batteries really is a non-negotiable for decarbonization. This means that batteries including their minerals and components parts are capable of a continuous cycle of use and reuse. Currently Li-ion batteries are manufactured in ways that make them difficult to recycle, this is a problem that is not being ignored and efforts into recycling are ongoing.
The Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (or VRFB) is a lead contender in large scale battery storage and one that supports the circular economy and sustainability, they are one of the most recyclable battery types, offering strong lifecycle and environmental improvements compared to other batteries.
The vanadium redox flow battery has excellent features including:
- Battery lifespan period of approx. 20 years
- Unlimited charge and discharge with no electrode degradation
- High safety features due to no thermal runway
- Most of the components can be 100% recycled at end of life/use
- Ability for the vanadium electrolyte to be constantly reused in another battery or recycled
- Ideal for long duration applications
Vanadium redox flow batteries bring huge value in creating a circular supply chain with their lifecycle and recycling potential. They are a long-duration battery storage system that will without doubt enable the renewable energy transition needed for a zero-carbon energy future.
Vanadium Electrolyte
Even more impressive is the liquid vanadium electrolyte, which is major component of the VRFB. This type of flow battery is designed in a way that allows for the vanadium electrolyte to be completely reusable and recycled. This meaning that even once a battery has reached end of life (around 20 years) the liquid vanadium electrolyte can be reprocessed and reused. The simple recyclability of a VRFB and its vanadium electrolyte offers unsurpassed long-term savings as well as being a sustainable solution compared to other battery systems.
As the vanadium electrolyte in VRFBs does not degrade or get consumed during operation, when a battery is being decommissioned, the sustainability of vanadium electrolyte means it can be removed and reprocessed to be redeployed in other VRFBs, thus making the environmental impact of a VRFB significantly less than other leading battery technologies.
As mentioned in our blog ‘The Benefits of a High Purity Vanadium Electrolyte in VRFBs’, the process of recycling vanadium electrolyte is simple and involves reprocessing through a vanadium production facility, such as the plant that manufactured the original electrolyte, once rebalanced the liquid is then able to be used for another 20 years.
Using a high purity vanadium electrolyte in a vanadium redox flow battery is key to the lifetime and will give the greatest battery efficiency. Here at C-Tech we have developed a fully commercialised vanadium electrolyzer plant that results in the highest quality electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries. Our electrochemical reduction process is a clean alternative to the conventional manufacturing process and as no chemical reagents are required, production costs are reduced. Our Vanadium Electrolyte Manufacturing Equipment can be used for the reprocessing and reuse of vanadium electrolyte. This feature of continuous use of the vanadium electrolyte in VRFBs offers tremendous value and is a key advantage for this technology.
In conclusion, Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries are the most sustainable battery storage system currently available and this is due in part, to the recyclability of the vanadium electrolyte. VRFBs will see increased demand in the coming years, they are undoubtedly a battery storage technology for a circular and climate neutral economy with the ability to lead the facilitation of the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
More information on our Vanadium Electrolyte Production Equipment for VRFBs can be seen here.
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