Climate Confident Beyond Lithium: The Rise of Vanadium Flow Batteries in Renewable Energy
In this episode of the Climate Confident podcast, I talked energy storage with Matt Harper, the Chief Commercial Officer at Invinity Energy Systems, who explained vanadium flow batteries—and their implications for renewable energy.
We started with a 'Battery 101' comparing the familiar lithium-ion to vanadium flow batteries.
Matt shared fascinating insights into the modular nature of these batteries, how they differ in their response to the degradation issues plaguing conventional batteries, and their non-flammability—a significant safety advantage.
We discussed the role of vanadium flow batteries in supporting infrastructure rather than powering EVs, given their weight. But where they truly shine is in the realm of grid energy storage.
Looking at the bigger picture, Matt highlighted the economic shifts towards longer-duration storage, driven by the ever-decreasing costs of solar and wind power. Our conversation touched upon the broader market dynamics and the critical role of energy storage in achieving a net-zero future.
The episode closed with Matt's passionate perspective on the necessity of supportive industrial policies for renewable technologies, ensuring a robust and sustainable energy sector.
Do not miss this enlightening conversation on 'Climate Confident,' where we continue to unravel the innovations steering us towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future. And don't forget to check out the video version on YouTube.
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Credits
Music credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper