Sumitomo Electric launches vanadium redox flow battery with 30-year lifespan

Japanese manufacturer Sumitomo Electric has released a new vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) suitable for a variety of long-duration configurations.

Unveiled at Energy Storage North America (ESNA), held in San Diego from February 25–27, 2025, the system applies “newly developed long life materials” which allows for a 30-year operational lifespan. Such a lifespan, which is subject to proper maintenance, enhances the system’s long-term cost effectiveness, the manufacturer said.

Long operational lifespan is one of the key advantages of VRFBs, in addition to its high recyclability and strong safety credentials. In VRFBs, energy capacity (liquid electrolyte ) and power output (cells) are decoupled and can be scaled separately. This design also reduces wear and tear on components, which contributes to a longer operational life.

Sumitomo said that compared to previous models, the new system achieves a 15% increase in energy density, reducing the physical footprint. Furthermore, the new VRFB is said to “reduce the overall costs by 30% through optimized system design, improved electrolyte circulation control, and enhanced manufacturing processes”.

The system comes in three versions with six, eight and ten hours of storage duration. The six-hour system is housed in a 40-foot container and offers 2 MWh of capacity. It rated power output is AC 334 kW.

The other two versions come in a 45-foot container and offer 2.4 MWh of capacity. Their rated power output stands at 300 kW and 240 kW for the eight and ten-hour system, respectively.

The system’s operating temperature range is from -10 to 45 degrees Celsius.

Naming the four key features of its VRFBs, Sumitomo Electric points to safety, long duration, eco-friendliness, and superior life cycle cost advantage.

As in all VRFBs, electrolyte is not flammable and all components use flame retardant materials, meaning the system is not classified as hazardous under fire safety regulations. “No special hazardous material permits or on-site hazardous materials handlers are required,” Sumitomo says.

Furthermore, the electrolyte and electrodes do not degrade with charging and discharging. The manufacturer explains that this means that the systems can operate stably over long periods regardless of operating conditions.

The electrolyte can be reused and up to 99% of the system material can be recycled with proper separation, which greatly contributes to the technology’s environmental credentials.

Finally, the cost per unit of capacity decreases for longer duration storage. “With no need for cell or electrolyte replacement and minimal waste at decommissioning, the system achieves low life cycle costs in long-duration configurations,” the company said.

Sumitomo Electric will begin accepting orders for the new VRFB in 2025.