Assessing the role of vanadium technologies in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and enabling the energy transition

The decarbonization of heavy industry and the emergence of renewable energy technologies are inextricably linked to access to mineral resources. As such, there is an urgent need to develop benchmarked assessments of the role of critical elements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we explore the role of vanadium in decarbonizing construction by serving as a microalloying element and enabling the energy transition as the primary component of flow batteries used for grid-level storage. We estimate that vanadium has enabled an avoided environmental burden totaling 185 million metric tons of CO2 on an annual basis. A granular analysis estimates savings for China and the European Union at 1.15% and 0.18% of their respective emissions, respectively. Our results highlight the role of critical metals in developing low-carbon infrastructure while underscoring the need for holistic assessments to inform policy interventions that mitigate supply chain risks. [Display omitted] •Enabling the energy transition and deep decarbonization hinges on strategic minerals•The versatility of vanadium chemistries enables technologies that lower CO2 emissions•In structural applications, vanadium enables a greater economy of materials use•Vanadium redox flow batteries balance the intermittency of wind and solar power Energy resources; Energy sustainability; Materials science; Materials chemistry; Energy materials