Comparison of Technologies
Arguments in favor of vanadium
Vanadium flow batteries are ideal electricity storage systems and designed for continuous operation. They are capable of reacting within a few seconds and yet can still supply energy over the course of many hours and days. This makes it possible to not only cover peak loads during the day but, in combination with sun and wind, also to work through the night. Vanadium-based storage systems can not burn and do not lose capacity even after decades of use. But even beyond that, vanadium is stable for a nearly indefinite period of time, making it more durable than any other battery technology and highly cost efficient for a multi-hour storage system.
Less impact on the environment
Vanadium electrolyte can be reused in the next battery, making it highly sustainable. Alternatively, vanadium can be reclaimed from the electrolyte, and used to make high-grade steel.
Safe operation
Operating vanadium redox flow batteries is safe in a number of ways. The tanks are designed with double walls, leaks are identified with accuracy to the centimeter and result in the system being shut down. This means that this technology has virtually no danger of overheating which could result in fires or explosions. Vanadium is dissolved in the water-based electrolyte solution, which is not combustible. If fire should reach the storage tank of a CellCube system, the electrolyte solution could even put out the fire.
Measurable costs
If the capacity of a vanadium redox flow battery is doubled, only the size of the tank doubles. The costs for the entire system actually decrease proportionally, as the capacity of redox flow batteries is quite inexpensive. That is what makes this type of storage so convincingly affordable for multi-hour storage systems. As demand for storage increases, the number of storage cycles per day also increases. Many storage cycles lower the price per stored kilowatt hour. The vanadium battery does not degrade in accordance with the cycles, so no adaptations are needed.
We would also like to mention, however, that vanadium redox flow batteries are currently associated with higher purchase costs than lithium ion batteries, for instance. However, CellCube also offers a rental service for the electrolyte solution, a feature which allows for accurate cost budgeting over a 20 year operation period.
Overview of various different technologies
We are firm believers in vanadium redox flow batteries. This overview provides a summary of how well they meet various requirements compared to other technologies.
