The current climate crisis has cast a spotlight on the importance of sustainability by supporting the long-term use of resources to meet current and future needs while eliminating any adverse impact on the environment. Crucial to sustainability is the reuse of finite resources in a circular economy, to use existing materials for as long as possible.
As a sustainable metal of the future, vanadium is critical in its use in steel and energy storage to create opportunities and improve people’s lives while making minimal impact on the environment.
In traditional industries including steelmaking, the automotive, and aerospace sectors, with promising long-term potential for vanadium use in battery storage for grid-scale electricity applications, assist such industries in becoming more sustainable.
The increased strength of vanadium microalloyed steel reduces the total global fossil carbon footprint by as much as 0.385%.
The addition of vanadium to steel and reinforcing bar for use in the construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure has significant sustainability benefits. When vanadium micro-alloyed steel is used, much less steel is required for the construction of infrastructure, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Lower volumes of steel will result in lower iron and coal consumption and indirect benefits such as reducing the movement of commodities around the world. The application of vanadium to steel and reinforcing bar to infrastructure means that less steel is required which contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions, contributing to SDGs 9 and 11 in building sustainable cities and communities.
The increased strength of vanadium microalloyed steel reduces the total global fossil carbon footprint by as much as 0.385%.
The addition of vanadium to steel and reinforcing bar for use in the construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure has significant sustainability benefits. When vanadium micro-alloyed steel is used, much less steel is required for the construction of infrastructure, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Lower volumes of steel will result in lower iron and coal consumption and indirect benefits such as reducing the movement of commodities around the world. The application of vanadium to steel and reinforcing bar to infrastructure means that less steel is required which contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions, contributing to SDGs 9 and 11 in building sustainable cities and communities.
A VRFB produces 27 to 37% less cradle-to-grave CO2 emissions compared to lithium-ion technologies.
Vanadium is also a key ingredient in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), which are used as long-duration, utility-scale energy storage solutions to store intermittent renewable energy. VRFBs enable more efficient use of energy and create a ‘green energy solution. Its use in long-duration vanadium-based batteries signifies that it is a key element in increasing the potential of renewable energy generation, while also enabling power systems to move away from polluting fossil fuels by integrating as much more renewable energy into a reliable power grid. The use of VRFBs contributes to SDGs 7 and 13 through its recyclability, reusability, long life, and low carbon footprint, acting against climate change and providing affordable and clean energy.
A VRFB produces 27 to 37% less cradle-to-grave CO2 emissions compared to lithium-ion technologies.
Vanadium is also a key ingredient in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), which are used as long-duration, utility-scale energy storage solutions to store intermittent renewable energy. VRFBs enable more efficient use of energy and create a ‘green energy solution. Its use in long-duration vanadium-based batteries signifies that it is a key element in increasing the potential of renewable energy generation, while also enabling power systems to move away from polluting fossil fuels by integrating as much more renewable energy into a reliable power grid. The use of VRFBs contributes to SDGs 7 and 13 through its recyclability, reusability, long life, and low carbon footprint, acting against climate change and providing affordable and clean energy.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
An increased focus on sustainable development is crucial, not only in the way we sustainably source vanadium resources; but also, it is important in the broader sustainable development that reduces the environmental footprint. Vanitec expects that vanadium will be increasingly recognised as a sustainable and critical metal for the future.