Elestor BV – flow battery
Elestor, founded in 2014, is at the forefront of sustainable energy storage solutions. It is developing a breakthrough flow battery technology that promises to drive down electricity storage costs for large-scale, stationary applications. Using abundant and cost-effective materials—hydrogen and bromine—alongside a patented, easy-to-manufacture system design, Elestor has set a new benchmark in storage affordability.
This triple reduction in cost structure is essential for making storage economically viable on a large scale, enabling the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid and supporting the transition away from fossil fuel-dependent power plants.
Large-Scale Electricity Storage with Flow Battery Technology
Elestor has created an innovative electricity storage technology based on flow battery technology for large-scale stationary applications. Set-up and operational costs are minimal: low-cost, abundant hydrogen and bromine (extracted from seawater and estimated at 100 trillion tons of global reserves) are combined with a patented system design and easy-to-manufacture cells. The company counts on multiple partnerships, including with research teams at Fraunhofer ICT, TU Eindhoven, and TU Delft, and on Equinor and Vopak as investors.
Their technology can eventually replace fossil-powered plants and has the potential to become the equivalent in large-scale, long-duration electricity storage of what lithium-ion is today for e-mobility. Elestor has won multiple international awards for this. The company is establishing its global sales and service network, opening a US branch in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2024. By then, Elestor will count on a team of 100 strong.
Scaling Up with Circularity in Mind: Commercial Projects and Global Expansion
After several successful pilots, Elestor is now constructing its first commercial-scale system for Vopak, a company that became an investor in 2022. This initial 3 MWh system will serve as a proof of concept, with plans to scale up to 250 MWh. Elestor’s expanding international presence, including a Boston office opening in 2024, enables the company to provide circular economy-based storage solutions to high-impact regions, including the Netherlands, Spain, UK, Australia, and the USA.
The environmental impact of Elestor’s technology is significant: By 2023, it had contributed to a 4,133-ton reduction in CO₂ emissions, with projections of reaching 355,786 tons by 2026. Its circular economy approach reduces emissions and avoids additional environmental impacts, with avoided emissions rates expected to remain above 74% through 2026. The commitment to sustainable resource use ensures that Elestor’s operations align with climate goals, making it a vital component of a circular, low-carbon future.
With 52 full-time employees currently, Elestor is expected to double its team by the end of 2024 as it scales up to meet global demand. Supported by a €30 million investment from Equinor and Vopak in 2022, Elestor is well-positioned to create hundreds of green jobs in the coming years, contributing to a circular economy-based labour market that supports renewable energy and sustainable growth.
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