• Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

  • VRFB Pilot Project

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB)

VRFB is a rechargeable battery that is charged and discharged by means of the oxidation-reduction reaction of vanadium ions. Sumitomo Electric is a world pioneer in VRFB technology. With over 30 years of development history and more than 180 MWh of energy storage systems deployed/contracted, Sumitomo Electric brings reliable energy storage solutions to customers around the world. The battery offered by Sumitomo Electric features long lifetime, unlimited cycle life, easy operation, and low maintenance. It is a safe and flexible energy storage solution that can be used for grid support, renewable integration, wholesale electricity market participation, and microgrids.

Basic Competitiveness

  • 30+ years technology development
  • 20+ deployments track record including VRFB pilot project (8 MWh) in coordination with San Diego Gas & Electric and the world's largest flow battery project in Northern Japan (60 MWh)
  • 120+ years old global corporation with large balance sheet
  • Long history servicing the utility industry worldwide

Key Advantages

  • Long lifetime (20+ years)
  • Unlimited cycle life
  • 0 - 100% usable SoC
  • Nonflammable
  • Perfectly suitable for multiple & longer-duration applications

Current Operations

Redox flow batteries are rechargeable batteries that are charged and discharged by means of the oxidation-reduction reaction of ions of vanadium. Characteristics of these batteries include long service life, versatility, and high safety. Deployments of batteries are stationed in Japan, Belgium, and California. To learn more about the system in California, click here.

Principle of VRFB

No solid reactions when charging and discharging

San Diego VRFB Project

Sumitomo Electric has been proceeding with a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) pilot project in coordination with San Diego Gas & Electric, stemming from a partnership between Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

The flow battery provides 2 MW/8 MWh of energy, enough to power the equivalent of about 1,000 homes for up to four hours. The battery was installed at an SDG&E substation, where it has undergone testing and fine-tuning for reliability and performance, before starting participation in the California ISO wholesale electricity markets in December 2018.

The four-year pilot project is intended to test and evaluate the best ways to manage and maximize new storage technology on the grid, demonstrate the economics of the flow battery in the commercial wholesale market, provide flexibility, and integrate growing amounts of renewable energy into the system.

Applications

  • Distribution support
  • CAISO market participation (ancillary and energy services)
  • Dual use (#1 + #2)
  • Microgrid operation

Press release (Jan. 25, 2021): NEDO extends redox flow battery system project to conduct an additional demonstration of a microgrid as a solution to power outages in California

More Project Highlights

Utility Project in Japan

Customer Hokkaido Electric Power Company
Capacity 15 MW (max. 30 MW) x 4 hours (60 MWh)
COD December 2015
Applications
  • Peak shifting (over generation)
  • Frequency regulation
  • Renewable integration
Scope of work Battery system, BMS, PCS, installation and maintenance

Microgrid Project in Japan

Customer Obayashi Corporation
Capacity 500 kW x 6 hours (3 MWh)
COD January 2015
Applications
  • Demand charge reduction
  • PV integration
  • Emergency backup (microgrid operation)
Scope of work Battery system, BMS, PCS, installation and maintenance

Microgrid Project in Belgium

Customer John Cockerill (formerly CMI)
Capacity 500 kW x 3 hours (1.5 MWh)
COD October 2018
Applications
  • Demand charge reduction
  • PV integration
  • Emergency backup (microgrid)
Scope of work Battery system and BMS