Dhahran – BETH Agency
Saudi Aramco Begins Operation of World’s First Iron–Vanadium Flow Battery for Renewable Energy Storages

First 1 MW·h iron–vanadium flow battery deployed globally.

Installed at the Wa’ad Al-Shamal project to support up to five gas wells over a 25-year lifespan.

Developed in partnership with Rongke Power on Aramco’s patented technology.

Designed to withstand Saudi Arabia’s harsh climate (−8°C to 60°C) without thermal management.

Offers lower fire risk, easier maintenance, and reduced vanadium usage compared to other flow-battery systems.

Full Story
Saudi Aramco, a global leader in energy and chemicals, has achieved a world-first by commissioning a 1 MW·h iron–vanadium flow battery system to power its gas-production operations. Located at the Wa’ad Al-Shamal site in northwest Saudi Arabia, the system relies on Aramco’s patented flow-battery technology and was developed in collaboration with Rongke Power, a leading flow-battery manufacturer.

Ali Al-Mishari, Senior Vice President for Technical Coordination and Supervision at Saudi Aramco:
“This pioneering flow-battery system marks a significant leap forward for the oil and gas sector. While Aramco currently powers many remote gas wells with solar panels and lead-acid batteries, this new technology provides a flexible, cost-effective solution for renewable-energy storage across diverse industrial applications.”

How It Works
Flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes housed separately from the power cell. When pumped through the cell, these electrolytes convert chemical energy into electricity with minimal capacity loss over repeated charge–discharge cycles. The modular design reduces fire risk compared with other battery types and simplifies maintenance.

Strategic Impact
This breakthrough aligns with Aramco’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) for its wholly owned and operated assets by 2050. The iron–vanadium flow battery not only optimizes use of liquid electrolytes and cuts vanadium consumption but also paves the way for further tech integration at unmanned or isolated oil-and-gas sites—delivering reliable, adaptable power without added expense.