AVESS will demonstrate its VFB prototype at Atlantic’s world-class Windimurra Vanadium Project, located 670km north of Perth and 80km from Mount Magnet, Western Australia.

Related article: AVESS to build vanadium flow battery plant in South Korea

The demonstration will integrate AVESS’ VFB prototype and solar PV into an existing disconnected microgrid to power non-essential loads on the Windimurra Vanadium Mine campsite.

The Atlantic partnership signifies a transformational opportunity for AVESS to validate its VFB technology with a proven vanadium developer while cementing AVESS’ position in the Australian mining sector and growing its VFB market share.

The two businesses will now work towards regulatory approvals and definitive agreements.

AVESS Energy managing director Young Yu said, “We are grateful for this opportunity to showcase our VFB, and we look forward to growing our partnership with Atlantic.

Related article: AVESS rebrands, reveals five-hour vanadium flow battery

“The deployment of our 50Kw/250Kwh VFB at Windimurra represents a significant milestone for AVESS Energy.

“This exciting partnership is another step towards the development of the local vanadium supply chain.”

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Related article: AVESS rebrands, reveals five-hour vanadium flow battery

Unicoh ESS Co Ltd will invest AUD$10.2 million to build a 500-tonne vanadium electrolyte sulfate manufacturing plant on a 24,235sqm site in South Korea’s Yeongil Port Industrial Complex Foreign Investment Zone.

The manufacturing plant is expected to create more than 60 direct jobs in Pohang City. The company is expected to invest AUD$4 million in Unicoh ESS Co Ltd to provide general working capital while strengthening its positioning in the global VFB market.

AVESS is now expected to pursue vanadium offtake opportunities with local vanadium developers to enhance Australia’s vanadium value chain.

AVESS Energy managing director Young Yu said, “The creation of Unicoh ESS and the signing of this vanadium electrolyte manufacturing MoU strengthens AVESS’ capabilities and positioning in the global vanadium electrolyte market, as we edge closer towards Australian-made vanadium batteries.

“Unicoh ESS comes at an exciting time as we synergise decades of complementary capabilities and expertise across the electrolyte space, while this MoU is another demonstration of our readiness to locally manufacture commercial-scale VFBs.”

Related article: Vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility opens in WA

The global vanadium electrolyte market size is projected to be worth US$126.3 million (2023) and is expected to reach US$537.8 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23% between 2023 and 2030.

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Related article: Vanadium to be ‘workhorse’ of battery/renewables sector

The vanadium electrolyte facility has the potential to produce up to 33MWh of high purity electrolyte per annum, catering to the growing demands of the vanadium flow battery (VFB) market.

Also on display at the facility was a 78kW/220kWh VFB manufactured by Invinity Energy Systems, which is destined for a Horizon Power project in Kununurra and also a prototype residential 5kW/15kWh VFB.

In 2021, AVL was awarded a $3.69M Federal Government grant, with part of the funding allocated to building and operating a commercial vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility in Western Australia to support the commercialisation of VFBs and the design of the prototype residential battery.

AVL has used US Vanadium LLC’s (USV) proven electrolyte manufacturing technology for the plant’s design, which has de-risked construction and start-up. USV currently manufactures vanadium electrolyte for the North American market.

AVL holds the exclusive licence for Australia and New Zealand for USV’s vanadium electrolyte manufacturing technology. Until production of vanadium oxides from AVL’s processing hub commences, vanadium oxide feedstock for the electrolyte facility will be sourced from USV’s vanadium production facility in the US.

VFBs were invented in the 1980s at the University of New South Wales by Emeritus Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos and her team. They have been commercialised overseas and their popularity as an energy storage device is growing.

Hon. Minister Madeleine King MP said, “Vanadium flow batteries were invented in Australia, and Australian vanadium will play a key role in the energy transition.

“Vanadium production is highly concentrated internationally, and it is on Australia’s Critical Minerals List.

Related article: Horizon Power purchases vanadium flow battery

“The Australian Government supports critical minerals projects through measures including the Critical Minerals Facility and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund.”

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Related article: Australia’s first commercial-scale vanadium battery facility

The facility, constructed by WA-based engineering company Primero Group, has been designed to produce up to 33MWh per year of high purity electrolyte for vanadium flow batteries (VFBs).

The facility utilises proven electrolyte manufacturing technology licensed from US Vanadium LLC (USV) exclusively to AVL in Australia and New Zealand. USV will assist with commissioning of the facility, which is anticipated to be completed early in 2024.

The vanadium electrolyte produced by the facility will initially be employed in the VFB projects being developed by AVL’s wholly owned subsidiary, VSUN Energy Pty Ltd, and will allow AVL to qualify its product with key global VFB manufacturers.

Demand for vanadium electrolyte within the region is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years. Vanadium pentoxide for electrolyte manufacture will initially be sourced from USV, prior to supply being available from the company’s Australian Vanadium Project in Western Australia. The experience gained from the construction of the facility is anticipated to be of great use in the construction of the Australian Vanadium Project.

AVL CEO Graham Arvidson said, “We are pleased to have been able to successfully and safely execute another segment of our ‘pit to battery’ strategy through the construction of Western Australia’s first vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility.

Related article: Horizon Power purchases vanadium flow battery

“We are grateful to the teams at Primero and USV for their contributions in delivering a facility that is first of its kind for Western Australia. Production of AVL’s first vanadium electrolyte will position the Company to become a trusted supplier for battery projects in Australia and the wider region.”

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Vanadium is a critical mineral and demand is forecast to grow significantly as it is increasingly being used for renewable energy storage systems, like redox flow batteries.

Related article: Australia’s first commercial-scale vanadium battery facility

At present 65% of global economic vanadium resources reside in China and Russia, which generate 85% of the world’s vanadium production.

The partnership presents an opportunity for Australia, which hosts 18% of global vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) resources, to establish a domestic industry for vanadium production.

CSIRO’s novel vanadium processing technology can deliver three products, vanadium, titanium and iron, from vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) ore.

The patented CSIRO process operates at atmospheric pressure and temperature and produces less ore-based waste, which no other existing commercial process can achieve.

It also recovers high purity (>99.5%) vanadium as V2O5, which will help facilitate a downstream vanadium industry in Australia.

CSIRO CEO Dr Doug Hilton said this important partnership will see the development and commercialisation of cutting-edge, CSIRO-patented technology increasingly used in the production of renewable energy storage systems.

“The technology is a vital piece in the puzzle in Australia’s renewable energy future and it will deliver long term community benefit, boosting the economy and supporting more jobs and opportunities for Australians,” Dr Hilton said.

“This is important, innovative, inventive work, creating new sovereign capability that harnesses the critical technologies Australian needs to transition to net zero.”

Related article: Horizon Power purchases vanadium flow battery

Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson said the partnership was an opportunity to meaningfully advance the energy transition through sovereign capabilities.

“Our partnership with CSIRO exemplifies how research and industry can work together in mission-driven science that addresses Australia’s greatest challenges,” Wilson said.

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Thee 220kWh vanadium flow battery, which can deliver up to 78kW of power, will be sourced from Invinity Energy Systems.

Related article: Australia’s first commercial-scale vanadium battery facility

Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said the pilot would support the organisation’s focus on solving the important technical problem of long duration storage and performance in harsh conditions, providing a pathway to reaching its decarbonisation goals.

“Long duration energy storage provides backup power during times of peak demand or when the power supply is interrupted, storing high volumes of excess energy when demand is low and the ability to shift energy storage into the night. It can also minimise the need for costly fossil fuel generation and grid infrastructure upgrades,” Unwin said.

“The vanadium flow battery is specifically designed to deliver large amounts of energy over a long period of time and is temperature resilient, which is critical for our unique regional and remote networks.

“This is an exciting trial which will allow us to increase our understanding of the technology in a regional energy system and its ability to provide long periods of 100% renewable energy.”

Invinity Energy Systems chief commercial officer Matt Harper said, “Due to their durability, safety and reliability, vanadium flow batteries have a vital role to play in reducing the use of fossil fuels in power generation, particularly in remote communities. Invinity is pleased to be supplying this proven and commercialised technology, that has its roots in Australia, for VSUN Energy and Horizon Power who are spearheading the use of alternative-to-lithium batteries in an important market for Invinity.”

The use of long duration energy storage, in the form of vanadium flow batteries, could assist Horizon Power to accelerate the decarbonisation of its energy network, which covers 2.3 million square kilometres.

Related article: Vanadium to be ‘workhorse’ of battery/renewables sector

The vanadium flow battery will be used for Horizon Power’s long duration energy storage pilot which aims to increase understanding of how this technology can provide long periods of 100% renewable energy supply in regional and remote energy systems across Western Australia.

Site planning and development work is underway, with the battery to be delivered and installed later this year.

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Vecco Group’s new facility will produce the electrolyte used in grid-scale vanadium flow batteries—a type of battery leading the energy storage revolution.

Related article: Vanadium to be ‘workhorse’ of battery/renewables sector

The Palaszczuk Government is supporting the construction of the facility through its Industry Partnership Program. The project is part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which includes creating a North Queensland battery industry supply chain.

The new vanadium battery electrolyte production facility will support the development of Vecco’s Debella Critical Minerals Mine. It will also lead to downstream manufacturing and creating a new link in the supply chain.

The Townsville Vanadium Battery Manufacturing Facility is expected to begin production later this year. When operational, it will employ 21 people and produce nine megalitres of electrolyte annually, equating to an energy storage capacity of 175MWh annually with plans to  expand to 350MWh.

Vanadium flow batteries are a proven grid-scale energy storage solution with advantages including a long lifespan, lengthy storage capability and are non-flammable.

The government’s $75 million investment in the Queensland Resources Common User Facility is Australia’s first critical minerals demonstration facility to be built in Townsville.

Vecco plans to produce vanadium and high purity alumina at its Debella Project near Julia Creek will be integrated with the new manufacturing facility.

Until the Debella project comes online, Vecco Group will use imported vanadium to produce high-grade vanadium electrolyte in Townsville.

A Queensland Battery Industry Strategy is currently being developed to grow local industry and supply chains. The ‘Battery industry opportunities for Queensland’ discussion paper open for public consultation until 31 March 2023.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “These batteries will be made in Queensland, right here in Townsville, and will change the game for renewable energy storage.

Related article: Call for bauxite and aluminium to be named critical minerals

“A key to my government’s landmark Energy and Jobs Plan is supercharging our SuperGrid with initiatives like this, as we transition to a cleaner, more reliable energy system.

“There’s no better place to launch an Australian first than here in Townsville—the gateway to Queensland’s vast renewable energy zone and North West Minerals Province.”

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Vanadium is a lesser-known metal able to be used as a major component of large-scale Vanadium Flow Batteries for a safer and more reliable solution for renewable energy storage.

The mineral can also be used for stabilising steel alloys used in aerospace, automotive, aircraft carriers and the creation of high-strength tools.

Related article: Tesla to buy over $1 billion in Australian battery minerals a year

Several companies including QEM, Multicom and the Vecco Group have struck vanadium deposits around Julia Creek and are working their way through approvals so they can begin processing vanadium for the renewables sector.

Vecco Group managing director Thomas Northcott said vanadium mining and the new economy mineral manufacturing industry would create jobs for the future while supporting the next generation of renewable energy projects.

“We have an opportunity to create a world-class integrated supply chain linking Vecco’s vanadium project near Julia Creek with a battery manufacturing hub in Townsville to supply batteries for the Queensland energy network,” Mr Northcott said.

“Vecco Group is currently undertaking detailed design of its battery manufacturing facility and planning to commence production in Q2 2022.”

Competing with Western Australia’s mining heavyweights, Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith said it was critical that North Queensland didn’t miss the boat on the next generation of sustainable mining.

“We can and should be proud that right here in our backyard we have access to a new economy metal that will drive an energy transition like never seen before,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“The use of vanadium batteries for energy storage is an emerging market anticipated to drive a structural change in the vanadium market which is already taking place across Europe.

“The combination of the vanadium concentration, economics, and sustainability of processing in the North West provides an opportunity like nowhere else in the world.”

Related article: Multi-day iron-air battery a ‘breakthrough’ in energy storage

In addition to vanadium’s significant export potential, she said there was great opportunity for the creation of local manufacturing, such as battery plants.

“Common user infrastructure is the next step to deliver on this market trend, meet future demand, and generate economic opportunities across all of Queensland,” she said.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the North West Queensland minerals province had the potential to become a significant supplier of high-quality vanadium to the energy storage and steel markets during the global energy transition.

“Vanadium will be a workhorse mineral of the battery storage and renewable energy sector which is why it’s exciting to see potential projects being put forward,” he said.

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