In commercial terms the VRB enables the design of a more flexible energy storage system that can be used in a wide range of environmentally friendly applications.

Currently in telecommunications and many other stationary applications, the lead acid battery is widely used to provide a form of energy storage. As a battery technology, the VRB has a number of advantages over the conventional lead acid technology.

• The VRB has been referred to as “The Green Battery” due to the materials used in it’s construction and for it’s ability to integrate with natural power sources such as wind and solar.
• Alternative battery systems contain heavy metals such as lead, nickel, zinc and cadmium all of which have potentially adverse environmental impacts during production, use and disposal. 
• The electrolytes used in VRB have an indefinite life, there are no disposal issues as the electrolytes are completely reusable.

• The VRB remains fully charged almost indefinitely. No charge is lost if the battery is not used.
• VRB’s have no life degradation from repeated deep discharge and recharge. Standard lead acid batteries are typically capable of 300 – 1500 cycles (2 – 4 years life) with strict charge and discharge parameters. VRB’s are capable of over 10,000 plus cycles. Life cycle is a function of the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) which can be replaced when degradation sets in and/or pump failure. PEM and pump replacements will further increase the life cycles. 
• The VRB can operate with one or more electrical inputs and outputs at multiple voltage levels.

• The VRB can be charged and discharged simultaneously and can be charged or discharged at any voltage. It can be overcharged with no loss of performance or damage. 
• The VRB is capable of rapid charge both electrically (recharging the solution) and hydraulically (pumping out the discharged vanadium sulphate and replacing with charged solutions or adding electrolyte cartridges).

• The VRB storage capacity is determined by the amount of electrolyte. Lead acid battery systems require an increase in the number of batteries to increase the energy storage.
• Storage is in terms of energy and power transfer (rather than the traditional approach to standby energy storage in terms of charge and discharge line voltages).