Dalian Rongke Power (RKP) and Heilongjiang Jianlong Iron and Steel Co signed an agreement to build a vanadium flow battery electrolyte plant in Shuangyashan, in China’s Heilongjiang Province.
The company said the primary focus is to establish vanadium electrolyte production, drawing on each other’s strengths. RKP regards itself as a leader in the vanadium flow battery and vanadium electrolyte sectors, which offers technological and market advantages.
Heilongjiang Jianlong Iron and Steel Co is a steel manufacturer and one of China’s top three vanadium suppliers.
The companies have formed a joint venture to build the plant, with construction set to start this year. They said the immediate focus is on electrolyte production, but future plans might include the development and manufacture of flow battery systems. Production will depend on demand, it said. The ownership shares of the JV are not being disclosed, but RKP is holding the majority stake, it said.
The two companies have entered a framework agreement with the local government, and together they have invested ¥3.5 billion ($483 million), making it a significant demonstration project, according to RKP.
A company spokesperson said: “This collaboration aims to establish a complete industrial chain from raw materials to material processing, driving innovation and application of vanadium flow energy storage technology, and achieving mutual benefits.”
RKP said its long-term plan is to develop a key industrial base in northern China, dedicated to achieving net-zero emissions.
RKP provided the battery equipment for the Dalian Energy Storage Station, the world’s biggest flow battery project. It has built it in phases. The power station is now in commission and switched on, with Phase II getting underway. Each phase is 100MW/400MWh.
Photo: signing ceremony. RKP
