How do we sustainably power a world moving towards net zero emissions?

Vincent Algar, Managing Director of Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) is putting his bets on the Vanadium Flow Redox Battery (VRFB).

“Vanadium is so long lasting, if we use large scale battery storage, it could really make a difference across energy grids." Vincent excitedly explains.

In the lead up to the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia's Net Zero Emission Mining?WA?Conference?2022, the MRIWA communications team sat down with Vincent Algar to ask him some questions about vanadium, VRFBs and the new opportunities presented by the move toward net zero emissions in mining.

What is Vanadium?

Vanadium is a hard, silver-grey metallic element. It is a ductile transition metal with a natural resistance to corrosion and stability against alkalis, acids, and salt water. Vanadium is found in over 60 different minerals including vanadinite, carnotite, roscoelite and patronite.

Vincent says it’s typically found within magnetite iron ore deposits and is usually mined as a by-product and not as a primary mineral.

“It’s used in the production of steel and high-quality vanadium alloys, which are used in things like jet turbines and landing gear for aircraft, cars, nose cones for rockets, as well as a few military uses.”

Vanadium is on the Australian critical minerals list. There are only three Vanadium mines in the world outside of China.

What is the Australian Vanadium Project?

AVL is launching a vanadium mining project in the Midwest. The mine is approximately 43 kilometres south of Meekatharra and a downstream processing plant will be just out of Geraldton. AVL are also building a vanadium electrolyte plant in Kwinana.

How does a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Work?

Invented by Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos?at UNSW in 1984, the VRFB came about when a unique characteristic of vanadium was discovered when it was in sulfuric acid. It was found when a charge was applied to the vanadium, it would store that charge, and would then be extractable. The ability of vanadium to store and deliver an electron through a ‘flow’ system.

Vincent says the VRFB is ideal for use in renewable energy delivery.

How long does a VRFB last?

Vincent says the charging and discharging process of a VRFB is relatively simple and the battery doesn’t degrade. It can last anywhere at least 20 years before the physical equipment needs replacing.?

“At the end of life, I can take the vanadium out and use it somewhere else. It has a circular economy”.

The battery has implications for a fossil fuel intense environment like Australia. Vincent says VRFBs can also have a huge impact on fossil fuel use for off-grid power, such as mine site power.

“We have a huge amount of mine site generators completely run off diesel generators. Replacing them with vanadium flow batteries is something that can happen.”

Why should VRFBs be more heavily integrated across the energy system?

Vincent says while also being durable and long-lasting, VRFBs can stretch renewable energy past daytime hours.

“It’s a really good battery that can handle say 10MWs or 5MWs through the night time or morning.” Vincent says.

?Why hasn’t a vanadium mining project started in Australia yet?

The vanadium extraction process differs in each country it is produced. In China, they make vanadium as a part of their steel making process. The other three mines in the world mine it as a primary ore, which is what Australian Vanadium will do. Vincent says there are a large range of vanadium titanium magnetite deposits in Australia. He says mining vanadium is usually a question of grade to make the costs of the operation work.

“We were lucky enough with this project to find a high grade of vanadium, so the economics work out”. Vincent says.

How does Vanadium use help reduce emissions in the steel industry?

Vanadium also has a huge potential impact in steel. In other countries, it is integrated into the steel making process and helps to create a stronger steel with less wastage.

“The use of vanadium in China has already reduced over 1% of China’s carbon emissions through their steel production.” Vincent says.

“When you put vanadium in steel, you’re reducing the amount of steel needed, reducing the amount of water needed, and those things are big carbon draws”.

How is Australian Vanadium Limited integrating net zero considerations into their own mining operations?

Vincent says the AVL project will tackle carbon and fuel use on site, each site’s carbon generation as well as the carbon used in the transportation process. Vincent says the use of green hydrogen in the kiln, to supplement natural gas will help reduce the CO2 emissions generated through burning in the extraction process.

“Using mixed gas and green hydrogen in the turbine energy is another way we can bring our carbon down.” Vincent says.

“Obviously, using a flow battery where possible on sites will make a lot of sense. We are well within the capacity to produce our own vanadium to power our own mine site. There are a lot of options to incorporate solar or wind within the Midwest”.

What are you hoping to experience at the Net Zero Emission Mining Conference WA?

Vincent says he’s looking forward to spreading AVL's message and listening to a diverse range of guests and speakers within the mining industry.

“Sure, you can talk about your own initiatives, our own commodity and what you’re doing, but the great thing about this conference is you get to hear from people who aren’t your peers. You’re out of own space and you get a connection to other technologies and areas in mining”. Vincent says.

“It was such a success last year and it seems to be ramped up this year, which makes sense. There’s a lot of cool people and cool stuff going on”.

AVL’s battery subsidiary VSUN Energy is a sponsor of our 2022 NZEM Conference.

Vincent will also be speaking at the ‘Low Carbon Products and Market’ session on day two of our NZEM Conference.

Held over two days on 1st and 2nd September 2022, the MRIWA Net Zero Emission Mining WA Conference 2022 will bring back popular elements of the 2021 event including themed speaker sessions, scheduled time for delegate interaction and discussion, panel Q&A’s and hour-long masterclass sessions.

Tickets for MRIWA's Net Zero Emission Mining WA Conference 2022 are available here