Flow storage company RedT says it has been given the nod to proceed with the 2MW/5MWh flow storage system aspect of the Oxford Superhub – a project set to harness a 50MW lithium-flow hybrid to underpin a smart energy system in the city.
It has also struck a financing deal with vanadium producer Bushveld Minerals to secure the vanadium electrolyte required for the project.
The Oxford project aims to bring together a massive hybrid battery, electric vehicles, heat pumps and flexibility trading.
Pivot Power is handling lithium battery and private wire aspects. It was acquired by EDF in November. Following planning approval, site surveys and preliminary contracting, the firm has given RedT a provisional notice to proceed, which means manufacturing of the vanadium redox flow batteries can now start.
RedT will tap South Africa’s Bushveld for the key raw material its flow storage units require under a ‘vanadium-as-a-service’ type arrangement, whereby RedT effectively rents the electrolyte.
The two have created a special purpose vehicle to hold the vanadium and intend it to deliver some 15MWh of flow batteries over two years.
RedT is in the middle of a merger with Avalon in a bid to create a stronger flow storage company.
More detail on the Bushveld deal here.
Related stories:
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Oxford goes large on storage, EVs and heat pumps
Habitat Energy: 2019 will be “breakthrough year” for battery storage
Pivot Power makes huge play for 2GW battery storage and EV charging network
Flow storage firms RedT and Avalon set to merge
Energy storage ‘will wipe out battery storage’
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