Extracting battery tech from petroleum waste

This article is a part of Startup Spotlight, a series that features young, up-and-coming startups.

Image credit: Timmy Loen

While completing his PhD at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Arjun Bhattarai spent years researching vanadium batteries.

He realized the technology lacked commercialization despite being older than lithium-ion alternatives. He founded VFlowTech to bring this durable battery technology to market.

😟 Problem

Utility-scale battery energy storage systems rely on lithium-ion technology that struggles with storage exceeding four hours.

These batteries degrade within 10 years and cannot handle multiple daily charging cycles. Moreover, Lithium-ion systems also present severe thermal runaway and fire risks.

💡 Solution

The company manufactures vanadium redox flow batteries optimized for utility grids and commercial applications. Its batteries’ advantages include:

• Long-duration energy storage from five hours up to several days.
• A non-flammable design that ensures high fire safety standards.
• A lifespan of 30 years while handling multiple daily charging cycles.

Image credit: VFlowTech

📊 Market size

The demand for long-duration energy storage is expanding across utility tenders and commercial sectors. Data centers need reliable grids, while mining operations seek diesel generator replacements. The company estimates a US$300 million market opportunity over the next seven years.

🤝 Team

Arjun Bhattarai. Founder and CTO. He holds a PhD from NTU and specializes in vanadium redox flow battery research and commercialization.

🚀 Traction

• Deployed field-tested pilots across 11 countries.
• Signed memorandums of understanding with regional data center operators.
• Secured partnerships with leading engineering, procurement, and construction firms.

🏆 Competition

The startup competes with Rongke Power, CellCube, Invinity Energy, and Sumitomo. It claims to be the leading vanadium battery manufacturer in Asia-Pacific outside China and Japan.

💰 Financials

🚩 Risks