[Ferro-Alloys.com] 

The Canadian-based vanadium mining company Largo Resources started its energy storage business with the start of its Delaware Largo clean energy sector.

The new company will develop VRFB technology based on 12 patent families previously owned by the VionX Energy of American Energy Storage Specialist, which recently acquired its assets for $3.8 million.

Largo Resources CEO Paulo Misk said: “we have also hired key team members previously hired by VionX Energy, who we believe have developed one of the world's most advanced VRFB technologies and combined with Largo Resources proven operational and business capabilities will immediately generate synergy and unparalleled competitive advantage.” The new product line of Largo Clean Energy new product line will be based on proprietary vanadium electrolyte processing systems.

“The increase in the power density of our VCharge ± system is largely due to the development of the interflow field (IDFF), a patented technology based on VRFB specialized research with partners for more than 50 years, in liquid flow cells, proton and electron exchange occurs when the electrolyte flows through the membrane and the electrode; the design of the exchange region (flow field) where the electrolyte flows on the electrode surface leads to a trade-off of high pumping loss or high pressure drop, which is usually due to the opposite objective, i.e., having a large number of contact surface area liquids and electrodes between electrodes.” a company spokesman said.

Manufacturers said batteries were designed to reduce flow barriers. The current battery line has a rated power range of 1 MW to 1.2 MW, and is expected to provide 1.5 MW rated power in 2022.

The company said: “the VCHARGE ± battery system will adopt a modular architecture based on 1 MV power and 2 MWh energy building modules designed to meet the grid reliability standards and undergo significant durability testing, proving its battery life of up to 40 years.”

1MW system is configured for 4.3 to 1 five hours, and 1.2 MW the system configuration time is 3.6 to 12.6 hours. Once available, configure the 1.5 MW system for 2.9 to 10.1 hours. Operating voltage ranges from 500 V to 800 V, The working environment temperature is minus 40 degrees to 45 degrees.

DC efficiency is 78 and AC efficiency is 68. Battery life is said to be infinitely recyclable for more than 20 years. The company said that if it circulates every day, the energy storage system will show degradation after 10000 cycles, equivalent to more than 26 years.  

Misk said: “Overall, VRFB is intrinsically safe and does not cause fire because of heat runaway. furthermore, at the end of battery life, the vanadium electrolyte contained can be recycled and reused for other VRFB equipment. It is expected that our initial target project may be in North America and Spain. Looking ahead, we also look forward to targeting Europe and emerging countries. We plan to update the market in 2021 according to our specific strategy.” He said the battery could be used in utility-scale energy storage projects, microgrids, renewable power generation integration, grid smoothing, backup power, and remote and off-grid power applications.

 

Source: Micro lithium electricity