The tanks
Hold the two electrolyte solutions outside the cell stack.
ELEMENT 23 · A FIELD GUIDEVanadium,
Vanadium,
explained.
From stronger steel to stored electricity.
Get to know the metal behind both.
Educational resource by Exergist. No investment recommendations.
23TRANSITION METAL
V
Vanadium 50.942
Atomic number 23
Group 5 · Period 4
Relative atomic mass 50.942
01 / APPLICATIONS
One element. Different jobs.
Select a use to explore the connection.
01
The largest established use
Small addition. A stronger material.
Vanadium is primarily used in steel alloys. It helps produce strong, tough steels used in demanding structures and components.
A USEFUL QUESTION
What grade of steel is being specified, and why does its alloy chemistry matter?
Sources: USGS vanadium overview · RSC element guide · USGS recycling study
02 / ENERGY STORAGE
Follow the charge.
A simplified view of an all vanadium flow battery.
Switch modes to see the chemistry reverse.
NEGATIVE ELECTROLYTEV²⁺ → V³⁺
Releases electrons
Tank ↔ pump ↔ electrodeElectricity outExternal circuit
Cell stack
Ion exchange membrane
Ion exchange membrane
POSITIVE ELECTROLYTEV(V) → V(IV)
Gains electrons
Tank ↔ pump ↔ electrodeThe paired reactions supply electrons through the external circuit to an electrical load. The positive electrolyte uses oxygen containing vanadium ions, commonly written VO²⁺ and VO₂⁺. Charges and proton reactions are simplified above.
The stack
Contains the electrodes and membrane where the paired reactions take place.
The circuit
Connects to a power source during charging and a load during discharging.
Technical reference: PNNL / U.S. Department of Energy flow battery presentation. Diagram is educational, not an engineering specification.
From a resource to a useful product.
Source
Vanadium bearing ores, steelmaking coproducts and selected secondary feedstocks.
Recover
A feedstock specific process separates and recovers vanadium.
Refine
Material is processed to the specification required by the application.
Apply
Alloys, catalysts, chemicals or electrolyte connect supply to a final use.
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Vanadium. Supply routes are simplified; economics and environmental requirements differ by project.
Go to the source.
Royal Society of ChemistryElement properties, history and usesU.S. Geological SurveyStatistics, publications and mineral resourcesU.S. Department of EnergyA documented vanadium battery demonstration
Industry listings and educational sponsorships are proposed. No company rankings, paid profiles or sponsors are currently presented. Future paid placements will be labelled and separated from editorial content.
Your questions, answered.
Is vanadium the same as vanadium electrolyte?+
No. Vanadium is an element. Battery electrolyte is a formulated liquid containing vanadium compounds and other ingredients. The formulation and purity are important to its intended use.
Are all flow batteries vanadium batteries?+
No. Flow batteries can use different chemistries. The diagram on this page describes the all vanadium chemistry specifically.
Does this website provide market prices or stock advice?+
No. It is an educational resource. It does not provide live market data, company valuations, rankings or investment recommendations.
Who publishes this guide?+
This is an Exergist concept. Commercial interests and future sponsorships should be considered when using the site. Follow the linked primary sources to verify technical information.
AN EXERGIST CONCEPT
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Help make vanadium easier to understand through educational partnerships, clearly disclosed sponsorships and industry resources.