The Vanadium Redox Battery (VRB) is a type of flow battery that is composed of 2 primary parts:

1. The cell stack, where the conversion of electric energy to and from chemical energy takes place.  The size of the cell stack determines how much power can be charged and discharged in the VRB flow battery.

2. The electrolyte, which stores the energy and is pumped through the cell stacks to charge and discharge.  The amount of electrolyte determines how much energy can be stored in the VRB flow battery.

The stack and electrolyte have different maintenance and cost considerations.  The capital, replacement, and O&M costs of the cell stacks vary with the discharge and charging ability of the battery.

The capital, replacement, and O&M costs of the electrolyte vary with the energy storage ability of the battery.  Therefore, HOMER calculates the lifetime and cost of these components independently.

HOMER also includes an O&M costs associated with the energy throughput in kWh.

For more information about VRBs, please visit the manufacturer's website, http://www.pdenergy.com/