First-of-its-kind deployment: Aramco is the first company to commission a megawatt-scale Iron-Vanadium flow battery for renewable energy storage in gas operations.
Strategic emissions reduction: The technology supports Aramco’s goal of achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions across wholly owned assets by 2050.
Industrial energy breakthrough: The system offers a durable, fire-safe, and cost-efficient alternative to traditional battery storage, tailored for harsh climates and industrial needs.
Aramco has commissioned a world-first Iron-Vanadium (Fe/V) flow battery system to store renewable energy for its gas operations, marking a major milestone in industrial energy storage. The 1-MW/hour battery system—installed at Wa’ad Al-Shamal in western Saudi Arabia—will power up to five remote gas wells and is engineered to operate reliably in extreme temperatures without requiring thermal management.
“The pioneering flow battery system spearheaded by Aramco’s researchers represents a breakthrough for the oil and gas industry,” said Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination.
The technology, developed in collaboration with Rongke Power (RKP), uses Aramco’s patented design and represents a shift from traditional solar-plus-lead-acid battery setups. Unlike conventional batteries, flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes, allowing for repeatable charge cycles with minimal degradation. Their modular structure simplifies maintenance and minimizes fire risk—a key concern in industrial settings.
“Our ground-breaking flow battery technology offers a flexible solution for diverse renewable energy storage requirements, making it an attractive option for a variety of industrial applications,” Al-Meshari added.
In addition to safety and durability, Aramco’s Fe/V system reduces vanadium use and enhances electrolyte performance. Operating between -8°C and 60°C, it remains efficient without supplemental cooling—a critical feature for deployment across Saudi Arabia’s unmanned and remote well sites.
This initiative strengthens Aramco’s renewable energy push as it works toward net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2050, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable innovation in the global oil and gas sector.
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