Aramco successfully commissioned the world’s first megawatt-scale Iron-Vanadium (Fe/V) flow battery to support gas production. Installed in Wa’ad Al-Shamal, western Saudi Arabia, the 1 MW-hour system marks a major leap in renewable energy integration for oil and gas operations. This battery serves as a solar backup power source for gas wells—making it the first of its kind globally to do so.
Innovative Collaboration and Patented Technology
Aramco based the system on its patented technology and developed it in partnership with Rongke Power (RKP), a global leader in flow battery solutions. They engineered the technology for extreme climates, enabling it to perform reliably even in Saudi Arabia’s harsh temperatures. Designed to last 25 years, the battery can power up to five gas wells, delivering cost-effective and scalable energy storage.
Designed for Harsh Conditions and High Efficiency
Unlike conventional vanadium flow batteries, Aramco’s version offers enhanced electrolyte utilization, reduced vanadium consumption, and can operate across a wide temperature range from -8°C to 60°C—without thermal management systems. This durability makes it especially suited for unmanned and remote gas well sites, where reliable power is critical.
Enhancing Safety and Sustainability
Flow batteries operate by storing energy in liquid electrolytes outside of the battery cells, which minimizes the risk of fire and supports longer operational life with minimal degradation. Their modular design also allows for easier and more affordable maintenance, positioning them as a safer alternative to traditional lead-acid or lithium-ion systems.
Supporting Net-Zero Ambitions
“This is just one example of how Aramco is developing and deploying advanced technologies with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions across its operations,” said Ali A. Al Meshari, Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination at Aramco. The system aligns with Aramco’s broader sustainability goals, particularly its target of achieving net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across wholly-owned operated assets by 2050.
Powering the Future of Oil and Gas
Already using solar and lead-acid batteries at remote gas wells, Aramco now sees this pioneering flow battery as a next-generation solution for flexible and scalable renewable energy storage. It is expected to unlock further adoption across isolated and unmanned industrial sites, meeting variable power demands without incurring additional operational costs. As per the press release, Aramco’s latest innovation marks a turning point in clean energy storage, potentially redefining how oil and gas facilities worldwide can transition to sustainable, efficient power solutions.
