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I've come across a couple of articles recently about advances in the membranes, for instance:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376738819324342
It's paid for content; but here are the extracts (mostly Greek to me):
A highly proton-conductive and vanadium-rejected long-side-chain sulfonated polybenzimidazole membrane for redox flow battery.
• Long-side-chain sulfonated polybenzimidazole membrane was prepared for RFB.
• High conductivity and vanadium resistance were achieved.
• The cell with this membrane exhibited high efficiencies and good stability.
A long-side-chain sulfonated polybenzimidazole (PBI-PS) membrane was successfully prepared by the reaction of PBI with 1, 3-propanesultone for improving the efficiencies of vanadium redox flow battery. The interaction between sulfonic acid and imidazole groups provides the PBI-PS membrane with excellent swelling resistance, leading to a swelling ratio of only 13% for the membrane with IEC of as high as 3.18?mmol?g-1. This results in an ultra-low vanadium permeability (6.5?×?10-9?cm2?s-1). The introduction of sulfonic acid-terminated flexible side chain in the membrane also constructs good microphase separation structure, leading to a low area resistance of 0.51?O?cm2, which is close to Nafion 212 (0.41?O?cm2). This membrane exhibits excellent cell performance. The voltage and energy efficiencies are up to 90.73% and 89.13% at 80?mA?cm-2, respectively. Furthermore, the efficiencies remain constant values for 200 cycles, and no changes in chemical structure and cell efficiencies are observed after 720?h immersion in electrolyte solution.
I'm definitely in this for the long haul, and took the pull back in SP today as a chance to top up again. The 'story' of this company is compelling, and as FM says it's only half told.
A little swing in the SP is just that, and as Warren Buffett said: "The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient."
Forgive my naivety, but I'm wondering why the SP is showing as being down considering buys have been way over sells today. Is it just down to the a spread & bid/ask?
Vol. Sold 813,719
Sold Value £174.95k
Vol. Bought 991,851
Bought Value £213.25k
Know what I've heard... "the short-term credit facility for the Warehousing SPV is being finalized".
If it isn't in an RNS it's just hearsay IMO.
As a self professed novice on Vanadium in general this is my simplistic view... The lower V prices actually advantage BMN at the moment.
Firstly, BMN are already low cost producers who can profit at the current V price levels. This is compared to competitors who are still green field and can't get off the starting blocks with investment to fund their build or expansion, or others with higher production costs.
While V prices are low it is also beneficial to VRBF's. They will be more attractive to those looking to build energy storage solutions and they will gain traction due to their ability to rival the Li-ion alternatives on prices. Not to mention their other advantages in regards to longer life, safety, being more environmentally friendly to produce & recyclable at end of life.
Personally I would be happier if V prices didn't shoot up as it would allow VRBF's the time to solidify uptake. It would also cement BMN as the go to low cost suppliers in the market. Once VRBF's become as mainstream as Li-Ion then I'd hope for the V prices to rise.
Either way: in my opinion BMN have positioned themselves perfectly to capitalise on either outcome. I've taken the conservative approach in my investment. V prices are bound to rebound from current levels - which the BMN SP will no doubt track, but the VRBF future is potentially huge, and is where the 'free bonus' upside sits. Win, win and still win situation as I see it.
Oh and I should have mentioned that he then goes on to say they have signed some small contracts for electrolyte rental, and are now in negotiation for larger contracts and are putting a lot of effort into that.
See from 8:20 in this video. http://www.miningweekly.com/article/bushveld-sees-battery-storage-potential-beyond-evs-2020-02-17/rep_id:3650
Essentially he says they are building the plant and it's going to cost $10m.
Straight after I tried getting some more in a different account with some cash in it, but the price was up. Must have been a very small amount available at that price. Maybe MM's trying to get some red on the boards to shake some sells.
I managed to get some just before the Freddies 1m buy for 1.7125! It's showing as a sell but that was a buy...
To quote GS's response to an email from myself: "We inform the market through RNS releases and periodic informational podcasts and print publications", "...we are very careful of the information that is released into the market. The only news that any shareholder should follow is the news that comes from the company."
I realise there are lots of varying views about what's going on with the company. There are valuable insights on both sides. What we are all being distracted from is the simple line in the last RNS: "the Company advises that the short-term credit facility for the Warehousing SPV is being finalized". This is imminent?!
My only point is: which side will you be on when the last tick of the tock ticks before B***?
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/02/13/heres-how-energy-storage-kills-coal-one-factory-at-a-time/
Not focused on VRFB as 'the' solution, but interesting none the less.
Once the RNS/s are released it's going to be interesting to see which theories are on the money. I'm not too fussed either way, as long as we are on the money - which I'm confident about!
Just to clarify, when I say 'undervalued' I mean that they could be getting a better value by holding on to them as the SP moves up rather than sell them at a discount.
Something I found interesting was how Investec launched the SA renewable energy investment fund literally days before the SONA speech. Excellent timing :)
Seriously though how would 'anyone' keep the price low? Wouldn't it be detrimental to themselves to be selling shares that could be considered undervalued?
I do indeed. Got in a couple weeks back, and topped up yesterday. Just in time from the looks of things! Its narrative is one that I have great interest in, particularly due to its local and my connections to said place.
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
don't give the MM's their reds,
I'm more than happy to have blues...
Hmmm. I'll stick to my day job. Thanks for the update Ophidian.
The amount of emphasis put on renewable energy and sustainability was very encouraging! Really sounds like they are mobilising, and will want to deliver some 'quick to be seen' changes in the energy space.
Incidentally I was also 'introduced' to this stock by someone on another board. Since it's someone whose opinion I value, I thought I'd check it out. This is a great board BTW, some great posts and insight!
Current SP convinced me I had better top up today!
You know what they say. Nothing goes up in a straight line. MM's will want to refill their reserves. There will also be a need to set the new floor as that sure doesn't seem to be 2.50-3.00 anymore!