How much does a redox flow battery cost?

The purpose of this data-file is to build up the costs of redox flow batteries, starting from first principles, for Vanadium redox flow batteries. A 6-hour redox flow battery costing $3,000/kW would need to earn a storage spread of 20c/kWh to earn a 10% return with daily charging and discharging over a 30-year period of backstopping renewables.

Are redox flow batteries cheaper than lithium ion?

Overall we think that for long-duration, grid-scale electricity storage, redox flow batteries are looking more economical than lithium ion, especially once storage durations surpass 6-8 hours. Our comparison file is here. This data-file contains a bottom-up build up of the costs of a Vanadium redox flow battery.

Are vanadium flow batteries a good choice for energy storage?

Vanadium flow batteries are one of the most promising large-scale energy storage technologies due to their long cycle life, high recyclability, and safety credentials. However, they have lower energy density compared to ubiquitous lithium-ion batteries, and their uptake is held back by high upfront cost.

What is a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB)?

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is arguably the most well-studied and widely deployed RFB system. At the time of writing, there are approximately 330 MW of VRFBs currently installed around the world with many more systems announced or under development, including a 200 MW/800 MWh plant in Dalian, China [15, 16].

Do flow batteries reduce OPEX?

This includes maintenance, replacement parts, and energy costs for operation. Flow batteries, with their inherent advantageous design, have less stringent temperature and cycling requirements, potentially reducing OPEX compared to other technologies. A critical determining factor in the cost per kWh of flow batteries is the system’s lifespan.

Can redox flow battery chemistries meet demand for long-term energy storage?

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a techno-economic framework to compare competing redox flow battery chemistries that can be deployed quickly at grid scale and are capable of long-term operation to meet the demand for long-duration energy storage applications.