Batteries are used for many things, from something as small as your cell phone to something as significant as an electric car or grid - and everything in between. For many years, many of these applications have been dominated by lithium-ion batteries. They have been considered the go-to choice when a reliable rechargeable battery is needed.
They have been successful for a while, but now vanadium batteries are making a name for themselves due to their incredible ability. Will they replace lithium-ion batteries in the future?
The Shortcomings of Lithium Ion Batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that store energy in cells. They are small and self-contained - which is why they have done so well for small applications, such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops. Of course, there is the issue of them getting overly hot and, on occasion, even catching fire.
When used on a larger scale, however, lithium-ion batteries are not as effective. They require multiple cells in order to get the job done. And, depending on how big the application is, multiple cells may translate to hundreds of thousands of them.
When it comes time to dispose of lithium batteries, the cost is quite high. And judging by the fact that these batteries require frequent replacement, the fees can really add up.
Understanding Vanadium Batteries
Vanadium flow batteries are designed much differently. Rather than storing their energy in cells, they store it in tanks where electrolytes flow back and forth between two tanks.
What sets vanadium flow batteries apart is that they can be used, almost maintenance-free, for the largest of applications. Their tanks can be rather small or they can be larger than a swimming pool. This allows them to meet the need without a lot of extra cost of purchasing additional cells as you find with lithium-ion batteries. Instead, you just need a bigger tank.
Thanks to their design, they can run constantly for many, many years to come - decades, even - without having to be replaced. It never wears out or becomes less effective in its performance, either. As a result, it makes vanadium flow batteries quite cost-effective, too.
Finally, these batteries are water-based so they pose no risk of fire or explosion which is always an important perk when deciding on which batteries to choose.
The Battery of the Future
So, will vanadium batteries replace lithium-ion batteries? Which one will be the battery of the future?
When it comes to large-scale stationary applications - and maybe even some smaller ones, too - vanadium flow batteries will be the ideal option. For instance, the electric grids in the United States are very outdated and are in need of a major overhaul. Turning to solar and hydropower seems like the most promising options, but where will they store the harnessed energy for a rainy day?
Vanadium flow batteries will shine when used in a renewable and sustainable energy approach. They can consistently deliver energy without fail, which is necessary to keep a country up and running.
So, while it may not be ideal for keeping cell phone batteries or laptop batteries charged, the chance of lithium-ion batteries being replaced with vanadium batteries in large-scale applications is very high.
Learn More About Vanadium Flow Batteries
Vanadium flow batteries are destined to be found in our future. And StorEn Technologies makes this sustainable energy source very accessible. To learn more about them by checking out our StartEngine page and invest today!
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