Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

V2+ + VO2+ + 2H+ ⇌ V3+ + VO2+ + H2O

Overview

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) uses four oxidation states of vanadium (V²⁺/V³⁺ and VO²⁺/VO₂⁺) in two electrolyte tanks. During discharge, V²⁺ is oxidized to V³⁺ at the negative electrode while VO₂⁺ is reduced to VO²⁺ at the positive electrode. Using the same element eliminates cross-contamination.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Vanadium V 1 (aq)
Product Water H₂O 1 (l)

Everyday Example

Large VRFB installations store renewable energy from wind and solar farms, releasing it when the sun is not shining or wind is not blowing.

Industrial Importance

Vanadium flow batteries are used for grid-scale energy storage with capacities up to hundreds of MWh. They offer 20+ year lifetimes and unlimited cycling.

Properties

Type
Redox
Reversible
Yes
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-121.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery?
The balanced equation is: V²⁺ + VO₂⁺ + 2H⁺ ⇌ V³⁺ + VO²⁺ + H₂O.
What type of reaction is Vanadium Redox Flow Battery?
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery is a redox reaction. It is reversible under certain conditions.
Is Vanadium Redox Flow Battery exothermic or endothermic?
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -121.0 kJ/mol.