How batteries with a 20-year life could help power the world's remote locations


Ramola Talwar Badam
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Singapore-based entrepreneurs have developed long-lasting battery storage technology that could offer reliable support for solar and wind power in remote locations.

Avishek Kumar, chief executive of VflowTech, will show the technology at Cop28 and tell delegates how its vanadium flow batteries store energy from the Sun and wind during the day to power industries and homes by night.

The company's PowerCube technology, he says, comes with an assurance that performance will not drop and that the batteries will last for more than 20 years, helping people to stop using polluting diesel generators.

It has the capacity to supply a 50 kilowatt-hour (kWh) load for 24 hours per unit – more than double the needs of the average family.

When there is no sun or wind, how will you power yourself? Energy storage is an important enabler
Avishek Kumar,
chief executive, VflowTech

The company will create a virtual model at Cop28 so audiences can see how the battery technology has worked for more a decade to help keep the lights running on an island off Singapore where residents had previously used diesel generators.

“They were burning litres of diesel. Instead, we have put in a battery, connected it with renewables and it’s now powering the whole island with a net zero, fully renewable solution 24/7,” Mr Kumar told The National.

“The primary objective is to showcase how our technology is available for mass deployment.”

He plans to build factories to manufacture vanadium flow batteries in India and later in the UAE.

Why massive battery storage is key

Alternative forms of battery storage, including vanadium, a metal found in the Earth’s crust, are attracting attention with the build-up of interest in renewable energy.

Access to clean energy is one of the United Nation’s key sustainable development goals with close to two billion people still relying on polluting fuels.

Solar and wind can generate cheap electricity but supply can be erratic. For entire grids to run purely on renewable energy, an enormous amount of storage is required to prevent blackouts.

Industries and major infrastructure projects must be assured of consistent supply without any fluctuations in power to make the switch to clean energy.

A PowerCube, or vanadium flow battery unit, stores solar and wind energy during the day to keep the lights on in homes and businesses at night. Photo: VflowTech
A PowerCube, or vanadium flow battery unit, stores solar and wind energy during the day to keep the lights on in homes and businesses at night. Photo: VflowTech

“Most leaders have committed to go net zero by 2050,” he said. “One simple way is to power ourselves with renewables 24/7, but that cannot be done without energy storage.

“So when there is no sun or wind, how will you power yourself? In this context energy storage is an important enabler.”

Currently, lithium ion and lead acid batteries are the main types used for energy storage. But these batteries need to be replaced every few years and their efficiency degrades with time.

“The problem with contemporary lithium ion technology is that it’s OK for use for a short time but, for instance, if you talk on your phone for longer than an hour or two, it heats up,” said Mr Kumar, who is also VFlowTech’s co-founder.

“Performance degrades and you have to replace these batteries more frequently.”

Engineers around the world have been working on alternative storage devices and one option is vanadium redox flow technology.

China, Russia and Australia have the world’s largest vanadium deposits.

China is among the countries taking a giant leap in the vanadium flow battery system with a facility opened last year in north-east Dalian city that meets the electricity demand of 200,000 residents.

What is vanadium technology?

VFlowTech was incubated in Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University with researchers working for more than 10 years to fine tune the vanadium battery system.

The advantage of the vanadium flow battery technology is that it has a lifetime of 25 to 30 years and the performance does not degrade, which makes it an ideal solution for the long run,” Mr Kumar said.

A building powered up in Japan. Industry and infrastructure projects require a consistent supply to make the switch to clean energy. Photo: VflowTech
A building powered up in Japan. Industry and infrastructure projects require a consistent supply to make the switch to clean energy. Photo: VflowTech

“There is also zero performance degradation, so if the performance is 100 per cent today, after 25 years you will also get 100 per cent of the energy. This makes it highly sustainable; vanadium is also highly recyclable.”

VflowTech's battery storage units – called PowerCubes – range in size from a double-door fridge to a huge container.

The technology powers electric vehicles in Australia, supplies electricity to office buildings in Japan and to more than 30 homes and businesses in Pulau Ubin island off Singapore’s north-east coast.

A recent pilot project covers about six telecom towers in Johannesburg with the goal to eventually use the technology in 8,000 towers.

Mr Kumar displayed projects at the Singapore pavilion during Cop27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and will be in Dubai to focus the spotlight on the technology again.

The company won a competition for start-ups run by the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in June that received 400 submissions from around the world.

VflowTech pitched its idea before industry experts and was awarded Dh100,000 for “innovative, reliable and large-scale storage solutions that unlock the full power of renewables”.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, said the UAE was keen to provide a space for technology start-ups to scale up breakthrough solutions that address climate change challenges and support economic growth.

“Technology start-ups are an engine of economic growth,” Ms Al Amiri said.

“They create employment opportunities, introduce new products and services, drive innovation and can efficiently solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.”

Adapting to extreme weather

The drawback of vanadium is that it’s expensive to extract. Mainly used in the steel refining industry, its price is volatile because it rises in response to the demand for steel.

Vanadium batteries have also previously had trouble operating in extremely hot conditions. Vflow has worked on a solution that allows the battery to run in conditions of 55°C to 60°C, opening it to new markets in the Middle East.

“Our technology can work in extreme climates,” Mr Kumar said.

“The innovations we have done make our technology suitable for the Emirates' hot and humid climate.

“There is a push for the Middle East to apply more and more renewables and we have the intent to manufacture locally for local consumption.”

He is confident of bringing the cost down as use of the technology becomes widespread.

“We are now a small company manufacturing in Singapore, but in the next three years, as the demand increases, we will scale up our battery production capacity in India and have plans to come to the Middle East,” he said.

Transition to net zero

About 733 million people have no access to electricity – that’s about one in 10 people worldwide, according to United Nations Development Programme figures.

About 80 per cent of global energy and 66 per cent of electrical generation is currently supplied from fossil fuels, including oil and coal. This contributes about 60 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.

The UN has urged countries to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems and to invest in renewable energy resources.

At Cop28, Mr Kumar aims to show visitors why vanadium-powered energy storage is the future.

Being part of the climate summit helps learning about new technology aimed at achieving the net-zero goal – the ambition to balance greenhouse gas emissions so the amount removed from the atmosphere is equal to the amount emitted.

“We are actively looking to scale up our technology,” Mr Kumar said.

“Net zero is a complex goal to achieve – it cannot be achieved by one person or one technology, it has to be mixed with multiple technologies.

“You need one platform where different technology providers assemble together.

“Cop gives you this platform to interact with stakeholders so you can see innovative technologies you can combine, where policymakers and financials come together."

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A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Roger Federer's 2018 record

Australian Open Champion

Rotterdam Champion

Indian Wells Runner-up

Miami Second round

Stuttgart Champion

Halle Runner-up

Wimbledon Quarter-finals

Cincinnati Runner-up

US Open Fourth round

Shanghai Semi-finals

Basel Champion

Paris Masters Semi-finals

 

 

RACECARD

4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m

The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte

Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

THE LOWDOWN

Photograph

Rating: 4/5

Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies

Director: Ritesh Batra

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Brief scores:

Toss: South Africa, chose to field

Pakistan: 177 & 294

South Africa: 431 & 43-1

Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0

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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

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All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

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Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

How to volunteer

The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.

Hotel Data Cloud profile

Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Where to apply

Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020

Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.

The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020. 

Citizenship-by-investment programmes

United Kingdom

The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.

The Caribbean

Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport. 

Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt 

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Wonka
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Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m

Updated: November 24, 2023, 6:00 PM