The Hokkaido flow battery farm built by Sumitomo Electric was the largest in the world when it opened in 2022. However, China soon surpassed this and implemented a project eight times larger. Analysts say Chinese interest could lower costs and accelerate the adoption of the technology worldwide.
Despite their advantages, flow batteries face challenges. Ironically, vanadium, an important material, is mostly sourced from China and Russia, and there are supply problems due to sanctions. Additionally, these batteries are expensive to manufacture, costing at least twice as much as lithium-ion systems. However, their durability and low maintenance may make them a more affordable option in the long run.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
