Key Takeaways
- Invinity Energy Systems is set to deliver Europe’s largest vanadium flow battery installation at Copwood VFB Energy Hub by 2026.
- The project integrates 90 vanadium flow batteries with a 3 MW solar array, providing enough energy for approximately 3,000 homes.
- UK energy regulator Ofgem will soon announce support for long-duration energy storage, with Invinity’s technology expected to create up to 1,000 jobs in battery manufacturing.
Major Project Announcement
London-listed Invinity Energy Systems has announced the delivery of 20.7 megawatt-hours of vanadium flow batteries to the Copwood VFB Energy Hub in East Sussex. Upon completion in 2026, this will become Europe’s largest vanadium flow battery installation.
The project features 90 vanadium flow batteries paired with a 3 MW solar array. This setup will enable the system to store excess solar energy generated during the day and supply it back to the grid during peak demand, overnight, and in the evening. Invinity reports the stored energy will be sufficient to meet the daily electricity needs of around 3,000 households.
Understanding Vanadium Flow Batteries
Vanadium flow batteries are particularly well-suited for long-duration energy storage, utilizing vanadium ions in a liquid electrolyte to maintain energy for extended periods. Their lower energy density results in larger container sizes and greater physical footprints compared to traditional batteries, making them ideal for “energy shifting.” This process allows for storing surplus renewable energy generated during the day and delivering it later when demand and prices rise.
Safety is another key advantage of vanadium flow batteries. Invinity emphasizes that these systems use a water-based electrolyte, which minimizes fire risks—an increasingly relevant concern for communities as large battery installations grow. Moreover, the design of these batteries targets decades of reliable operation, appealing to projects that require long-term energy storage.
Rising Energy Storage Investments in the UK
The Copwood project is emerging at a pivotal moment for the UK’s long-duration energy storage sector. The UK energy regulator, Ofgem, is poised to announce details of its long-duration energy storage “Cap and Floor” support scheme, aimed at fostering investment in sizeable storage projects.
Invinity has confirmed that its vanadium flow battery technology has been selected for several bids under this initiative. The company anticipates that scaling up battery manufacturing in Britain could generate as many as 1,000 new jobs.
Manufacturing of the vanadium flow batteries is conducted in Motherwell and Bathgate, Scotland, where Invinity also focuses on research, product development, and customer support.
Additionally, the Copwood VFB Energy Hub has received funding from the British government’s Longer Duration Energy Storage demonstration program, managed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Invinity has also secured investment from the UK’s National Wealth Fund, a shareholder in the company.
Jonathan Marren, CEO of Invinity Energy Systems, stated that this project illustrates the critical role of long-duration storage in transforming renewable energy into dependable power. He noted, “If we are serious about delivering a power system dominated by renewables, we must stop wasting the energy we work so hard to generate. Long-duration storage is the missing piece that turns intermittent wind and solar into reliable, on-demand power.”
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