A project to identify, investigate, develop and operate renewable energy storage projects, particularly long duration vanadium redox flow battery storage and pumped hydro, has been launched in Australia.
The project for stationary applications follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Australian Vanadium’s 100% owned subsidiary VSUN Energy and North Harbour Clean Energy (NHCE).
NHCE is an Australian renewables and energy storage company with a portfolio of pumped hydro and two scalable VRFB projects.
The MoU will allow VSUN Energy to facilitate development of VRFBs into existing and future projects being developed by NCHE.
The MoU provides a framework for the two companies to assess market opportunities for VRFB installations including potential for the manufacture or assembly of systams in Australian using the technology and leasing facilities for vanadium electrolyte.
The MoU is non-exclusive and is valid for a period of two years and may be terminated by either party on giving notice of at least one month.
NHCE is involved in a joint collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in the research and commercialisation of VRFBs; UNSW is the birthplace of the VRFB, with Emeritus professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos and her team scontinueing to work on the technology first invented in the 1980s.
NHCE is interested in the supply of vanadium electrolyte from Australian Vanadium, product selection and project development support from VSUN Energy and the ability to position Australia as a centre of excellence and key player in the global VRFB supply chain.