VFlowTech, a Singapore-based energy storage solutions provider manufacturing low-cost and efficient modular vanadium redox flow batteries, and Sing Fuels, a global energy trading company, have announced their new joint venture to meet the needs of the fast-developing energy storage market in Africa through sustainable microgrids
Under the new entity VFlowTech Africa, the two companies will sign power purchase agreements with mobile network operators, mining companies, and other infrastructure owners to provide clean energy as a service, and will sell and distribute Vanadium redox flow utility scale batteries in the Africa market.
By deploying its renewable energy battery storage systems, VFlowTech Africa will enable the storage of energy generated from variable or intermittent energy sources such as solar or wind. This energy is integrated in a standalone renewable microgrid to meet rural electrification needs.
Avishek Kumar, co-founder and CEO of VFlowTech, said, “Sustainable microgrids are the future of energy and a vital part of any fight against climate change. More importantly, improving access to electricity will have a positive impact on overall quality of life as it also affects access to technology and all forms of social and economic activities.
“Energy is one of the core challenges facing Africans today. Previously, access to electricity required massive investment and infrastructure but Vanadium flow technology addresses these issues thanks to the significantly low cost of ownership. Installing renewable microgrids is much more affordable than traditional energy infrastructure. Traditional battery technologies, such as lead-acid and lithium-ion, are not suitable for long-duration energy storage as they suffer from performance degradation and thermal run-away and pose serious safety issues.”
VFlowTech’s batteries have an expected life span of 25 years and are proven to have one of the safest and most environmentally friendly battery technologies. Unlike lithium-ion and lead acid batteries, it is possible to scale the VFlowTech’s battery storage power (kW) and energy (kWh) based on the size of the battery stack and the volume of electrolyte stored in the tanks respectively. Other advantages include long-duration energy storage capabilities where the battery can work for infinite cycles with no capacity fade and electrolyte degradation. With VFlowTech’s unique IP on electrolyte additive, its vanadium redox flow batteries can operate at much wider temperatures than others.
