Vanadium Energy Storage Battery Supply Chain

Why do we need a vanadium supply chain?

For U.S. deployments, it becomes increasingly important to onshore or friend-shore the supply chain to support the anticipated of energy storage required to transition to clean energy. Despite significant deposits, there are no primary producing vanadium mines in North America. However, plans are underway to address this situation.

Can vanadium flow batteries decarbonize the power sector?

Vanadium flow batteries show technical promise for decarbonizing the power sector. High and volatile vanadium prices limit deployment of vanadium flow batteries. Vanadium is globally abundant but in low grades, hindering economic extraction. Vanadium's supply is highly concentrated as co-/by-product production.

Are vanadium redox flow batteries a good solution for energy storage?

In this context, Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) are seen as the most promising solution for medium and large energy storage systems , , .

Why is the vanadium market so volatile?

We found that the vast majority of vanadium is produced as a co-/by-product in a highly concentrated supply chain, which helps explain the extreme volatility in supply and price witnessed in the vanadium market. These factors also cause concern for the upper bound of the rates at which annual supply can feasibly grow.

Is the prohibitive price of vanadium a supply chain problem?

Thus, the prohibitive price of vanadium may remain a separate issue from the supply chain challenges discussed here. One method to reduce the burden of the vanadium price does exist via a new market of electrolyte leasing, where a third-party company leases the vanadium – usually in the form of VRFB electrolyte – to a battery vendor or end-user.

Where are vanadium flow batteries made?

While many vanadium flow battery manufacturers are headquartered in the West, many companies utilize a contract manufacturing model. Between 70 and 80 percent of a battery system is sourced from and built in China, then shipped to finishing locations where power assemblies are added.