VIENNA – The International Flow Battery Forum (IFBF) 2025, held recently in Vienna, underscored the accelerating momentum of flow batteries as an indispensable solution for long-duration energy storage (LDES). Across three days, the Forum comprehensively explored the sector's breadth, with sessions highlighting significant technical progress, diverse business cases, and persistent regulatory gaps. Discussions spanned real-world projects from Ukraine to China, and from North America to Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the industry consensus that flow batteries are not merely promising but essential for future energy grids.

Anthony Price, Program Coordinator of the IFBF, emphasized the immediate opportunities. “Opportunities for flow batteries are no longer on the horizon, they’re here,” Price stated. He highlighted key moments, including the enthusiastic participation of David Hochschild, Chair of the Californian Energy Commission, who underscored long-duration storage as an integral component of California’s ambitious net-zero energy strategy.

Industry experts at the Forum called for clearer, more supportive policy signals to align with the rapid technological readiness of flow batteries. Utilities and developers presented compelling use cases, demonstrating the technology's versatility across varied geographical and economic contexts. This comprehensive overview illuminated the current standing and future trajectory of the global flow battery industry.

In a notable European development, Pascal Wyss from Flexbase detailed the technical requirements and background for a new 500 MW flow battery project at Laufenberg, Switzerland. This massive installation is designed to provide an intrinsically safe and durable energy storage solution for a giant Swiss data center, showcasing the technology's application in critical infrastructure.

Innovation extended beyond terrestrial applications, as Jan Girschik from Fraunhofer UMSICHT captivated attendees with a presentation on flow batteries in space. Girschik noted how advancements in space technology frequently pave the way for Earth-bound applications, suggesting that “Flow batteries could soon play a role on satellites and space stations,” a prospect that could significantly broaden their market.

The Forum also fostered future talent, with young researchers from around the globe presenting their work in a vibrant poster session, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application. The exhibition area showcased innovations from both established companies and emerging entrants, reflecting the dynamic growth within the sector. Participants also had an exclusive tour of CellCube’s HQ, gaining insight into their assembly process and the two-decade evolution of their flow battery stack, a visit that underscored the strong community spirit driving the global flow battery sector.