Australian Vanadium (AVL) said it secured a site to build a high purity vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility in Perth, western Australia.
Vanadium electrolyte is required for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) used for long duration energy storage.
AVL said the facility is part of its plan to add value to the mineral it will mine south of Meekatharra, with further processing planned for a site near Geraldton.
Vanadium electrolyte manufacturing is key for AVL. It will be using US Vanadium LLC’s electrolyte manufacturing technology with an exclusive licence for Australia and New Zealand.
Graham Arvidson, AVL’s CEO said the site is its first high purity vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility. “With detailed design now complete and long lead equipment ordered, we are positioned to become a near term producer.”
Deliveries of all long lead equipment items are expected during the second quarter of 2023.
The facility will be able to produce up to 33MWh per year of high purity electrolyte for the Australian and New Zealand VRFB markets.