The power storage systems of Voltstorage are based on vanadium redox flow technology and do not require any rare materials or conflict minerals. They are fully recyclable, non-flammable, and can be charged and discharged as often as required without loss of capacity. With the development of iron salt technology, the Munich-based startup also aims to set new standards for wind and solar farms in the field of long-duration energy storage – i.e., long-lasting storage solutions.
Renewable energy for seawater desalination plants
Volstorage's battery technology is designed for over 10,000 charging cycles, has a service life of more than 20 years, and is extremely safe, durable, and environmentally friendly thanks to its non-flammable, CO2-saving storage materials, iron and salt. Unlike other battery technologies that use materials like lithium, iron and salt-based storage systems are also particularly well-suited for regions where high temperatures and dry climatic conditions pose significant technical challenges.
ACWA Power aims to use the technology to sustainably store and provide renewable energy for seawater desalination plants in the Middle East and Africa. The strategic collaboration includes technical and economic studies to optimize the use of iron-salt batteries for ACWA Power's needs, as well as performance assessments and testing under real-world conditions in hot climates. Furthermore, joint application evaluations and field tests will be conducted.
“Evaluate the potential of iron-salt storage technology in a real-world scenario”
Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, explains:
"The partnership with Voltstorage reflects our commitment to exploring innovative solutions for sustainable energy. We very much look forward to jointly unlocking the possibilities of this groundbreaking innovation from the company."
And Jakob Bitner, Co-founder and CEO of Voltstorage, adds:
"We are excited to embark on this journey with ACWA Power. This strategic collaboration allows us to evaluate the potential of our iron-salt storage technology in a real-world scenario, particularly in the context of seawater desalination. It is a critical step toward the sustainable provision of renewable energy."
Representatives of ACWA Power and Voltstorage signed the agreement during the ACWA Power Innovation Days in January 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
