Local raw materials pave the way for sustainable energy storage

Efficient storage is required to transition the energy system. Flow batteries, which use water-based electrolytes, are identified as a safer and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale storage. Today, the technology is most commonly based on the metal vanadium – a heavy metal that requires mining and is largely imported from countries outside Europe.

Gothenburg-based Rivus Batteries has developed a technology that instead relies on organic molecules. By using common bulk molecules from the process industry, a local supply chain can be created, reducing dependence on foreign mining.

“One of the greatest advantages of our technology is the possibility of a very local supply chain where we can break the dependence on mining, which has major implications around the world,” says Cedrik Wiberg, CEO of Rivus Batteries.

From coal to bio-based residual streams

Today, the raw material for Rivus’ molecules is derived from coal. Although the carbon is not incinerated but bound within a battery with a 20-year lifespan, there is an ambition to achieve a completely fossil-free product. Within the CEROF project (Circular Electrolyte Raw Materials for Organic Flow Batteries), investigations have therefore been conducted into whether bio-based pyrolysis oils from other members of the West Swedish Chemical and Materials Cluster can be used as feedstock.

The study shows great potential: by switching to biomass-based raw material flows, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by between 40 and 70 per cent, depending on the choice of material and method.

Challenges with volume and profitability

Despite the technical and environmental advantages, hurdles remain to be overcome. The volumes of bio-based raw material currently available are still too small to sustain an entire business model.

“We saw that the substances we need are present in pyrolysis oil from actors in West Sweden, but the quantities were too small for us to rely on them entirely. However, even if we can only replace a proportion of our fossil raw materials with bio-based ones, it is clearly of interest for the future,” explains Cedrik Wiberg.

The vision: Battery production in West Sweden

Currently, Rivus imports some of its raw materials from China, as European manufacturing is lacking. However, the hope for a Swedish value chain remains alive. In a new Vinnova-funded project, the company is collaborating with RISE, among others, to investigate the conditions for large-scale manufacturing of the molecules in Sweden.

“It would be incredible if, in the future, we could manufacture our batteries in Västra Götaland using raw materials from local actors. Price is the deciding factor, and we must be able to compete with Chinese lithium-ion batteries—a highly topical issue within the EU. We hope that policy-makers choose to invest in the domestic manufacturing of battery technology,” concludes Cedrik Wiberg.

The company recently opened a seed round of 20 million SEK, having already secured a lead investor for half of the round, and is currently in dialogue with investors active in deep tech, battery storage, and the chemical industry.