The vanadium redox battery (VRB), also known as the vanadium flow battery (VFB) or vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), is a type of rechargeable flow battery that uses vanadium ions as charge carriers. Vanadium is used because of its ability to exist in a solution in four different oxidation states. This makes it possible to make a battery with a single electroactive element instead of two. For several reasons, including their relative bulkiness, vanadium batteries are typically used for grid energy storage, i.e., attached to power plants/electrical grids.

Lithium prices are under intense pressure as the need for grid-scale storage options grows. Even though vanadium and bromine redox flow batteries have some potential, their entry into the market has been hampered by the necessity of a membrane.

Salgenx (a division of Infinity Turbine LLC) has developed a revolutionary saltwater flow battery that also acts as a thermal battery.

The Salgenx saltwater battery is a flow battery system, requiring the use of two sizable tanks for the storage of fluid electrolytes. Salt water is kept in one tank, which is created by adding sodium chloride (NaCl) to water. The saltwater tank may be used for thermal storage.

In contrast to previous redox flow battery systems, this one does not use a membrane. The removal of the membrane significantly reduces initial purchase prices, maintenance costs, and consumable costs as most of the system can be sourced and assembled on-site, which empowers local communities to build their own storage systems

The game-changer in this setup is the salt. This technology was first used to electrically power the dirigible La France in 1884. Now, over 100 years later, this technology is re-emerging as a eco friendly contender for large scale energy storage.

An added benefit is that salt water doesn’t have the same flammability issues as Lithium. It’s non-toxic and is available everywhere.

The simplicity of the concept is the separation of the electrolytes. While this may not be fit for a car, it is perfect for large scale storage for wind and solar power, like the Tesla megapack.

There is a short-term opportunity to resell the license to people who want to buy a manufacturing license before January 16th, 2023. This offer is only limited to the first five purchasers.