Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, launched the first megawatt (MW)-scale renewable energy storage system using Iron-Vanadium (Fe/V) flow battery to store solar power for natural gas well operations.

The 1-MW/hour flow battery system is installed in Wa’ad Al-Shamal, in western Saudi Arabia, to support up to five wells over its projected 25-year lifespan. 

The company said that this solution is expected to be efficient and cost effective. It is designed to cope with the high temperature in Saudi Arabia and has the ability to achieve optimal performance under extreme weather conditions,

The battery system is developed based on Aramco’s patented technology, in cooperation with Rongke Power (RKP), a global leader in flow batteries.

“The pioneering flow battery system spearheaded by Aramco’s researchers represents a breakthrough for the oil and gas industry,” said Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination. “Aramco already powers a large number of remote gas wells with solar panels connected to lead-acid battery systems, but our ground-breaking flow battery technology offers a flexible solution for diverse renewable energy storage requirements, making it an attractive option for a variety of industrial applications. This is just one example of how Aramco is developing and deploying advanced technologies with the aim of enhancing and reducing emissions across its operations,” he added.

Flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes separately from battery cells, and electrolytes pumped into the cell convert chemical energy into electricity. In addition to providing energy independence, flow batteries can be repeatedly discharged and recharged with minimal capacity loss. They also reduce fire risks compared to other types of batteries, while their modular design makes them easier and less costly to maintain.