Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) provided an update on the status of the vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility development.
“AVL is pleased to have secured a site for the location of its first high purity vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility. With detailed design now complete and long
lead equipment ordered, we are positioned to become a near term producer. This is an important step in our journey to become a world class, vertically integrated “pit to battery” vanadium producer. By leveraging USV’s proven technology we have confidence in successfully realising our goal of producing the highest quality electrolyte available to the Australian and New Zealand VRFB markets. Through our wholly owned subsidiary VSUN Energy, we are positioned to play an integral role in an exciting pipeline of Australian decarbonisation focused projects. Achieving near term production of high-quality electrolyte positions AVL to be a supplier of choice for these projects. The Company plans to explore opportunities to replicate this electrolyte facility on the east coast of Australia, to supply additional electrolyte for VRFB projects slated to be deployed in a variety of States and Territories,” AVL CEO Graham Arvidson said.
In 2021, AVL received a $3.69M Australian Government grant, with a part of the funds going towards constructing and operating a commercial vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility in Western Australia (WA) to help with the commercialisation of VRFBs.
AVL is the official licensee of USV’s process technology for manufacturing vanadium electrolyte in Australia and New Zealand. This technique was utilised in designing the vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility that will be developed in Wangara, a northern Perth suburb. AVL designed the facility in collaboration with WA-based engineering firm Primero Group to meet Australian standards and requirements.
Vanadium oxide feedstock for the electrolyte facility will be acquired through AVL’s arrangement with USV until the production of vanadium oxides from AVL’s Midwest Processing Hub begins. The construction and subsequent operation of the vanadium electrolyte facility will allow AVL to gradually mature its business processes, people, and systems in project execution and operations. AVL said the vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility’s successful construction, commissioning, and operation would be a crucial step towards becoming an operating firm and enhancing governance and risk management on a small scale before the development of AVL’s flagship Australian Vanadium Project.
According to AVL, all long lead equipment components for the electrolyte facility have been ordered, with deliveries scheduled for the second quarter of 2023. Any necessary statutory approvals are being sought. In anticipation of the delivery and assembly of the electrolyte manufacturing equipment, site preparation work at the Wangara facility is planned to begin in April.
