The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney recently hosted a landmark symposium commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Vanadium Flow Battery (VFB) invention.
The event brought together innovators, energy leaders, and experts from around the world to reflect on past achievements and chart the future of this groundbreaking renewable energy storage technology.
Emeritus Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos, whose pioneering work led to the creation of VFB technology, delivered a captivating keynote address.
She chronicled the journey from the earliest one-kilowatt experiments to today’s gigawatt-hour scale installations, sharing both the triumphs and challenges of four decades of innovation.
The symposium highlighted the expanding global footprint of VFB technology:
- Mining giant Rio Tinto discussed VFB’s role in decarbonising its Pacific operations and providing renewable energy solutions for mining sites across Iceland, South Africa, and Oman.
- China’s commitment to long-duration energy storage was outlined, with updates on manufacturing automation and cost reduction for VFB technology.
- Sumitomo Electric presented its 60MWh and 51MWh installations for Japan’s Hokkaido Electric.
- Invinity Energy Systems showcased an 8MWh installation in South Australia, part of over 1,200 VFB installations worldwide.
The event emphasised that VFB technology continues to evolve. UNSW researchers, led by Professor Jie Bao and Associate Professor Chris Menictas, are working to enhance the battery’s efficiency and economics to meet the growing demand for reliable, long-duration energy storage.
Australian companies highlighted the country’s unique position to develop a fully domestic VFB supply chain, from vanadium mining to battery manufacturing.
Discussions focused on the future of local manufacturing and Australia’s potential to lead in long-duration energy storage technology.
The symposium concluded with a clear message: VFB technology has transitioned from a laboratory breakthrough to a critical component of large-scale energy storage projects worldwide.
As the global community seeks sustainable energy solutions, the deployment of flow battery technology at scale is expected to play a crucial role in powering a decarbonised future.
This event not only celebrated the past 40 years of VFB innovation but also set the stage for its expanding role in the global transition to renewable energy sources.
