Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) announced a significant development in its ‘pit to battery’ strategy, with the arrival of the vanadium flow battery (VFB) for the Horizon Power project in Western Australia.
AVL’s subsidiary, VSUN Energy, is undertaking this project, aiming to support Western Australian utility Horizon Power in its efforts towards decarbonisation and enhancing grid energy storage, the company said in a news release.
Graham Arvidson, CEO of AVL, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this crucial milestone in their strategic plan.
Arvidson highlighted the collaborative effort with Horizon Power and the potential for high local content when combined with AVL’s locally manufactured vanadium electrolyte.
“We are looking forward to working with Horizon Power to successfully deliver this project, allowing the utility to benefit from the role that VFBs can play in enabling decarbonisation and providing reliable, low cost, long duration grid energy storage, with the potential for high levels of local content when coupled with AVL’s WA-made vanadium electrolyte,” the CEO explained.
The VFB, a product of global leader Invinity Energy Systems plc, has arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia, and is set to undergo factory acceptance testing (FAT) at AVL’s vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility.
In July 2023, Horizon Power entered into a contract with VSUN Energy for the purchase of its inaugural VFB. The 220kWh battery, capable of delivering up to 78kW of power, will undergo FAT in early 2024.
During this process, VSUN Energy plans to host industry participants for a firsthand view of the battery’s capabilities.
The FAT, conducted in collaboration with Horizon Power, will showcase various use cases and functionalities.
Following the successful completion of FAT and the reception of final project components, the VFB will be deployed to Kununurra, northern Western Australia.
VSUN Energy will oversee the installation and commissioning of the battery at the designated site, contributing to Horizon Power’s long-duration energy storage pilot.
