Aqueous Electrolyte with No Thermal Runaway Risk
Safer than Lithium Batteries
IREM's affiliate XRB is confirmed to be advancing the development of vanadium electrolytes with significantly enhanced performance in collaboration with R Corporation, a global electrolyte specialist listed in Japan.
By applying technology that approximately doubles energy density and reduces volume, it is expected to be utilized as a core component for power management in electric vehicle charging stations, data centers, and eco-friendly ships.
As rapidly expanding fast chargers and generative AI demand enormous power, governments and companies in major countries are entering the vanadium battery market. Currently, lithium-ion batteries (LIB), the mainstream of ESS (Energy Storage Systems), are considered unsuitable for ultra-fast charging and long-cycle ESS due to fire risks and performance degradation issues.
Vanadium batteries, called the ‘next-generation batteries’ to replace LIBs, offer nearly twice the output and more than ten times the lifespan. Additionally, they are free from the critical drawbacks of LIBs such as fire and thermal runaway risks, making them ideal for long-cycle ESS.
XRB plans to jointly develop vanadium electrolytes through an MOU (Strategic Business Agreement) with a leading global chemical company listed in Japan. Vanadium electrolyte, which accounts for over 50% of battery cost, is a key material determining battery capacity, lifespan, and performance. The two companies have already finalized agreements on the final specifications and commercialization matters.
According to the company, technology to maintain stability and durability even at high temperatures is also under development. This eliminates the need for expensive air conditioners or coolers, offering potential cost reduction benefits. XRB has completed the development of high-output flow batteries suitable for long cycles and stationary batteries SVRB for buildings, ships, and EV charging stations.
Industry sources indicate that charging an electric vehicle for 15 minutes with a 300 kW ultra-fast charger requires power equivalent to that used simultaneously by 1,000 households. Alongside global big tech companies’ declarations to use 100% renewable energy in the power sector, domestic data centers are also recommended to use separate networks rather than KEPCO.
To overcome the resulting power grid limitations, countries are mandating the introduction of long-cycle ESS and power load distribution design. Power load distribution design involves storing and using nighttime and eco-friendly electricity in ESS, with vanadium batteries identified as the most suitable material.
Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requires a lifespan of over 20 years for domestic ESS projects. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea has also announced investments of 29 trillion to 45 trillion KRW by 2036 to introduce long-cycle ESS, indicating further market expansion.
Having proven the world’s highest output performance with its self-developed vanadium battery, XRB is recognized for its technological prowess and is actively negotiating with renewable energy producers, large buildings and data centers, and electric vehicle charging operators.
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