Assessing the role of vanadium technologies in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and enabling the energy transition

Abstract

Summary The decarbonization of heavy industry and the emergence of renewable energy technologies are inextricably linked to access to mineral resources. As such, there is an urgent need to develop benchmarked assessments of the role of critical elements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we explore the role of vanadium in decarbonizing construction by serving as a microalloying element and enabling the energy transition as the primary component of flow batteries used for grid-level storage. We estimate that vanadium has enabled an avoided environmental burden totaling 185 million metric tons of CO 2 on an annual basis. A granular analysis estimates savings for China and the European Union at 1.15% and 0.18% of their respective emissions, respectively. Our results highlight the role of critical metals in developing low-carbon infrastructure while underscoring the need for holistic assessments to inform policy interventions that mitigate supply chain risks.

Breaking the hard-to-abate bottleneck in China’s path to carbon neutrality with clean hydrogen

“…There have been a few recent studies [1][2][3] investigating decarbonization pathways towards carbon neutrality for China's overall energy system planning but with limited analyses of HTA sectors. Internationally, potential mitigation solutions for HTA sectors have begun to draw attention in recent years [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . The decarbonization of HTA sectors is challenging because they are difficult to electrify fully and/or cost effectively 7,8 .…”

“…Åhman emphasized that path dependency is the key problem for HTA sectors and that vision and long-term planning for advanced technologies are needed to 'unlock' the HTA sectors, especially heavy industries, from fossil dependency 9 . Studies have explored new materials and mitigation solutions related to carbon capture, use and/or storage (CCUS) and negative emission technologies (NETs) 10,11 . However, clean hydrogen options are often not included; the authors of at least one study acknowledge that they should also be considered in long-term planning 11 .…”

Multivariate hyperspectral data analytics across length scales to probe compositional, phase, and strain heterogeneities in electrode materials

“… 32 , 33 , 37 A growing appreciation for the geographical diversity of vanadium deposits and the maturity of extraction methods with low-carbon footprints has driven further interest in V 2 O 5 in light of growing concerns about greenhouse emissions from battery manufacturing and the resilience of supply chains. 38 Despite current use as a positive electrode (cathode) for small-format commercial cells, widespread adoption of V 2 O 5 in larger formats has been stymied by a series of intercalation-induced phase transformations, which gives rise to stress and diffusion impediments and limits the accessible energy density and cycle life. 32 , 35 , 39 Thus, while specific emphasis is placed on the methodology of interpreting hyperspectral imaging data in this work, in light of increasing material criticality challenges faced by incumbent positive electrode chemistries, the insights obtained here the role of defects and particle geometry on electrochemistry-mechanics coupling in V 2 O 5 have practical implications for next-generation batteries.…”

Materials availability and supply chain considerations for vanadium in grid-scale redox flow batteries

“…Supply chain studies have provided useful, research-driving insights for related technologies such as LIBs (e.g., concerns with the cobalt supply chain [41] have motivated research into alternative chemistries that minimize or avoid its use [42]). Such analyses have been lacking in the RFB field; while some recent studies have explored the vanadium supply chain, these have focused on the environmental, health, and safety considerations of vanadium production and VRFB operation [43][44][45][46][47][48]. Here, we focus on the production scale and growth rates needed to deploy sizable amounts of VRFB storage and examine opportunities to expand and stabilize the vanadium supply chain via the development of various supply streams and employment of economic hedging strategies.…”