Member Info for RichKen

This is from a recent article shared by Acciona in spain:

"EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

The application of electric power storage systems using batteries connected to wind farms and solar plants is a field with great growth potential due to the major development of renewable energies worldwide, lower battery technology prices and improved efficiency.

Although still in an early phase, this kind of solution is demonstrating that it is ideal not only for domestic applications or grids with poor connections (islands, weak grids) but also for utility-scale applications in developed countries, with a focus on increasing the penetration of variable renewables in power grids without losing quality or security, and on adapting electricity supplies at times of higher demand. Basically, it is about improving the flexibility of electric power systems to incorporate greater renewable capacity, in a context of a shift towards a low-carbon energy mix in which fossil fuels will be gradually replaced by clean technologies.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), battery storage is even better for providing a fast response to electric power system regulation demands than conventional fossil fuel plants, which have traditionally provided these ancillary services.

Analysts expect strong growth in storage systems over the next few decades. The consultancy firm Navigant forecasts revenues in utility-scale projects of 18,000 million dollars in 2023 against 220 million in 2014, a period in which the annual storage capacity in batteries will go from 360 MW to 14,000 MW."

Bear in mind that 14,000 MW is 56,000MWh or in terms of Vanadium that is 280,000 mtV! Assuming that VRFB achieved it all - but 15% would be 42,000 mtV which is 50% higher than today's numbers, that is within 3 years! A lot of opportunity at our fingertips!

A current PhD Candidate on VRFB and Nanotechnology messaged me:

"VRFB is revolutionizing the EESs now. Nanotechnology can boost its efficiency (both electrode and electrolyte) as it will be a big competitor for solid states!"

Yet another demonstration that this technology is developing all the time.

"South Africa – Business activity dropped to the lowest level in 14 months in December on the back of rolling significant power cuts, according to the latest Markit PMI data.

The headline index dropped to 47.6, down from 48.6 in November.
“With the country’s electricity supplier Eskom implementing Stage 6 load shedding in December, many South African businesses saw activity and trade brought to a standstill,” the report read.
“Eskom has warned that further load shedding could occur in January and beyond, placing greater headwinds on domestic firms.”

Ferro Vanadium 80% FOB (China) US$28.5/kg vs US$28.5/kg

Battery News

The five biggest battery innovations of 2019 (Tech Republic)

- University of Chicago’s lithium-carbon dioxide battery – researchers were the first to show that lithium-carbon dioxide batteries can be designed to operate in a fully rechargeable manner, and able to run up to 500 consecutive cycles of charge/ recharge.
- IBM’s sea water battery – IBM’s research division came up with a new kind of battery made of never before used components that can all be extracted from sea water.
- MIT’s Carbon Dioxide Battery – Researchers created a specialized battery that they have proven can absorb CO2 from the air passing over its electrodes as it is being charged up, and then release that gas as it is being discharged.
- University of Adelaide’s non-toxic zinc and manganese – The innovative battery combined the two metals, as well as having an incombustible aqueous electrolyte. The two scientists signed a $700,000 research deal with manufacturer Zhuoyue Power New Energy.
- Nikolas free-standing electrode automotive battery – According to the company, the battery doesn’t use nickel or Cobalt and can provide double the energy density at just 40% of the weight. The battery uses a whole different type of chemical with a lithium component."

https://www.uploadlibrary.com/SPAngel_JohnMeyer/SP_Angel_-_Morning_View_-_Tuesday_07.01.20.pdf

But they are not in the same league as VRFB!

Key points are found here:

Improvements in VRFB technology over the past few years

- Improvement in energy density by 70% (by using hydrochloric acid rather than sulphuric acid in the electrolyte)
- Improved cell stack / membrane technology that eliminates the issue of cross-contamination
- Commercial development of larger systems of 200-250kW size, which have lower costs per kW
- Overall lower prices, decreasing from over $2,000 to around $500 per kWh for larger systems. Price points of around $300/kWh are likely in 12-24 months.
- Improved overall quality, with some manufacturers offering free 5 year warranties and others offering 20-year maintenance plans

If you take the lowest figure for cost of US$300 and turn this into 1440MWh this would bring the basic cost if it was one system at a minimum of $432 million. But it is nothing like this simple as the project is based on systems of different sizes in different locations.

The other factor is that the CAPEX will be lower if the Vanadium Electrolyte is leased bearing in mind this is 35 to 37% of the cost of the VRFB's. But this helps us see the huge value of these energy storage projects and why Bushveld Energy has set up the business is the way it has as vertically integrated part of Bushveld Minerals.

Cheers RK

Scotscout, I was just about to give you a similar outline as given by Alfacomp. Tha adavantage of being vertically integrated means that Bushveld can control there own costs and in reality eiather be the most competitive in the industry or find the correct market value.

We know the price of V205 and we know that 1 litre of electrolyte contains approximately 145 grams per litre. If we were to make an assumption the electrolyte will be in a factor range of 1 to 1.5 times the price of V205 per kilo and directly proportional. In the years ahead we might be able to learn this from the details published in the company financials, but given that we are going to lease the electrolyte and the asset value will be an internal transfer from Bushveld Mokopane / Bushveld Vanchem to Bushveld Energy. It may remain a speculative cost.

But, one thing is for sure Bushveld Minerals will be able to maximise the value of their electrolyte.

Folks may find this YouTube video interesting it is typically basis but gives more than enough detail and mentions VRFB technology and vanadium!
https://www.greentech-news.org/7-ways-to-store-renewable-energy/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost

Welcome, RedRoy! Always good to have new investors on board!
You could have chosen one of the most opportune times to invest! This year is looking very exciting!
Cheers RK

Mixed - Sell Price down - Buy Price up!

Average up 0.25 pence - well up is up!

Interesting Article!
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-has-big-clean-energy-ambitions-and-is-looking-for-better-energy/569787/
Looks like they are already deciding Lithium-Ion is yesterdays tech for Stationary Energy Storage!

Fab news! That was quick!

Pdub, I know exactly what you are going through my friend, the wait 11 months ago when my Claire was going through surgery ten and half hours was very tough. So I know it is great to have something to focus on. But the highlight of the day was sitting in intensive care and see her eyes open for the first time! They have never been so bright! She might not be able to talk so if you make a heart with your two hands and she sees that you will see a response!
Thoughts are with you bud! Hope it is 100% successful!
All the best Rich!

Sorry' but Mr Sanchez does a lot of background analysis and has put huge work in the background on the Bushveld Perspective. So I will defend his full integrity.

This board should pride itself in how we treat each other, even when we disagree. Abuse and disrespect can be reported.

Nearly everyone here is invested or are researching and we must be respectful to each other.

Thanks RK

Alltorque, your assumption is quite correct! Mr Sanchez knows this too :-)

But as so many on here call me Ken - I have no problem at all with that!

Everyone has a bad day, just some more than most for whatever their reason is. But I like to be 100% positive!

This hopefully is pretty evident! By the way if BMN rises we will all be making tonnes of cash!

Cheers RK ;-))

Thanks SG.

Steve Handley the author will have now have learned of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries. Twitter is proving a great way of sharing the Vanadium 'love'! I wonder why he missed them off his list.

Good to see a blue + on the SP this morning!

VV the ATM Lithium is not Battery grade. It would be used in the ceramic industry.
ATM will use the Lithium and Tantalite credits to make the mining of the tin the lowest cost on the planet. I also have a very nice investment with ATM! Possibly the most underrated share on AIM certainly not on many radars is ATM. But we at BMN hold 8% of the share holding so its performance is of interest to all Bushy share holders in the short term. It is one to watch.
But here, let’s stay with the Vanadium:-))

VauxhallViva - The list of items which you included on your list which require constant maintenance is hugely reduced with VRFB systems. That is why the maintenance tender possibly does not include the Bushveld VRFB. The other question is after a relatively short trial are there really cells on the Lithium-Ion system that need to be replaced already? I am sure as Ninjamagic and Alfacomp have both been to the site they are most likely to be aware of how old the Lithion Ion system is that Eskom has on test?
As you say, really for the grid and renewable mini-grid installations is there really a better solution than VRFB, and why would any energy provider compromise a project with Lithium-Ion? Short life, temperature control systems which are expensive to run, risk of thermal runaway and only 3000 cycles plus the short duration ie less than 4 hours.
Only Vanadium Redox Flow batteries give all the solutions and long life - plus the Vanadium is from South Africa! No Lithium in SA!
Cheers, RK

So just in case you were wondering are there any big investment companies watching Bushveld Minerals and the vanadium market - no less than Warren Buffet's own Berkshire Hathaway are watching and expect this industry to be huge!

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191022005619/en/Vanadium-Market-Analysis-Trends-Forecasts-2025--?utm_content=buffer37e78&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Along with Ophidian, I really expect this week ahead to be very exciting for Bushveld Minerals and it’s share holders. Strong hunch for some big news!

Anyone thinking the same?

There is a new tender out for Eskom and the BESS at the Battery Test Facility:

https://tenderbulletin.eskom.co.za/

In the same light Ophidian - 28th February 2020.

No company is going to have so much opportunity to create jobs in the energy storage market in SA as Bushveld Energy. Especially when they start construction of VRFB in SA under licence from Enerox?

Food for thought!

Cheers, RK