Invinity Secures Landmark 32 MWh Vanadium Flow Battery Project for California Steel Mill
Date: 15 Jun 2026 |
Source: invinity.com, 15 June 2026
Invinity Energy storage system to power sustainable steel production and become North America's largest vanadium flow battery installation
Invinity Energy Systems plc, a leading global manufacturer of utility-grade energy storage systems, today announced the sale of a 32 MWh vanadium flow battery system to Pacific Steel Group (PSG) for deployment at the company's Mojave Micro Mill project in Kern County, California. The project is expected to become the largest vanadium flow battery installation in North America once commissioned.
The battery system will be integrated with a 40 MWp solar photovoltaic array to provide reliable, on-demand renewable energy for the new steel mill, the first steel mill to be built in California in more than 50 years. The facility will recycle approximately 500,000 tonnes of scrap metal annually to produce sustainable, seismic-grade steel rebar for the U.S. construction industry.
The project is supported by grant funding awarded to Pacific Steel Group through the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Program of the California Energy Commission. Invinity's vanadium flow battery technology was selected following a competitive evaluation process that highlighted the technology's safety, durability, operational flexibility, and ability to withstand intensive cycling requirements associated with industrial-scale steel production.
"Pacific Steel Group is currently constructing the first steel mill to be built in California in more than 50 years," said Mark Olson, Vice President of Mill Operations at Pacific Steel Group. "From the outset, our vision has been to develop one of the world's cleanest and most sustainable steel manufacturing facilities. To support that goal, we integrated renewable energy generation and advanced battery storage into the project's design. Following a thorough evaluation process and support from the California Energy Commission, we are proud to partner with Invinity Energy Systems on this transformative project, which represents a significant step forward for both California's manufacturing sector and its clean energy future."
The California Energy Commission welcomed the project as an important example of how long-duration energy storage can support industrial decarbonisation while enhancing grid resilience.
"The California Energy Commission is proud to support this milestone in clean energy innovation," said Jonah Steinbuck, Director of the Energy Research & Development Division at the California Energy Commission. "The long-duration capabilities and versatility of Invinity's vanadium flow battery will support the operational efficiency and resilience of the steel plant while optimising its use of clean, renewable energy."
Matt Harper, President of Invinity Energy Systems, said the project demonstrates the growing role of vanadium flow batteries in enabling energy-intensive industries to transition towards cleaner operations.
"This project showcases how long-duration energy storage can help decarbonise industrial manufacturing while delivering reliable, low-cost power," Harper said. "We are proud to support Pacific Steel Group's vision for sustainable steel production and grateful for the California Energy Commission's continued support of innovative energy storage solutions."
Construction of the Mojave Micro Mill began in June 2025 and commercial operations are expected to commence in the second half of 2027. Delivery of the battery system, which Invinity intends to manufacture in the United States, is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The project is also expected to support Invinity's plans to expand its U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities and strengthen domestic supply chains for long-duration energy storage technologies.