VSUN Energy completes first vanadium flow battery

VSUN Energy has completed the manufacture of its first vanadium flow battery (VFB, pictured) at its Western Australian facility with factory testing being undertaken in Q1, 2024.

The company, owned by vanadium producer Australian Vanadium, said the prototype residential battery has 5kWH of power and 15kWh storage capacity and would then be installed in a home for further testing.

Industrial automation group Improve IO and engineering company Qetra assisted in the construction of the battery which is supported by $3.69 million from the Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

According to Australian Vanadium: “With the battery’s characteristics of flexibility, minimal degradation in performance over a 25 year lifespan and non-flammability, it is highly desirable product for homeowners looking for an alternative to a lithium-ion solution.”

VFR batteries are less energy dense and thus heavier than lithium ion batteries, however the electrolyte is not consumed and can be reused after the end of the batteries’ life.

Australian Vanadium said the battery was an example of its ‘pit to battery’ strategy.

The completion of the battery follows the opening in January of the company’s vanadium electrolyte factory in Wangra, Perth – the electrolyte is used to store energy in the batteries.

The facility has an annual capacity to produce electrolyte equivalent to 33MWh of battery energy storage capacity annually.

Meanwhile Australian Vanadium has taken delivery of a VRF battery manufactured overseas which is destined for energy provider Horizon Power

Further reading:
Australian Vanadium advances redox flow battery manufacture

Picture: Australian Vanadium Ltd/VSUN Energy prototype vanadium flow battery