AQUABATTERY is a technology company based in the Netherlands, established in 2014, that develops sustainable energy storage solutions. The company’s work supports the global transition to a fully renewable energy system by focusing on long-duration energy storage. AQUABATTERY aims to reduce reliance on critical raw materials and promote decarbonization through its novel saltwater-based flow battery technology. This technology is designed to offer a safe, sustainable, and affordable alternative for large-scale energy storage applications.
Battery Technology
AQUABATTERY specializes in an acid-base (saltwater) flow battery that stores electrical energy through a reversible chemical process. During charging, electricity dissociates saltwater, separating it into acid and base solutions, which are stored in distinct tanks. When discharging, these solutions recombine, generating electricity and regenerating the saltwater. The battery uses abundant, non-toxic materials, primarily table salt, water, acid, and base, avoiding metals like lithium, cobalt, and vanadium.
A key feature of AQUABATTERY’s technology is the independent scaling of power and energy. Power output is determined by the electrode surface area, while energy capacity scales with the electrolyte volume. This allows for flexible and cost-effective scalability tailored to various storage needs, from 8 hours to multi-day or seasonal energy storage. The technology is non-flammable, non-toxic, and fully recyclable, addressing safety and environmental concerns associated with traditional battery chemistries.
Recent Projects
In 2024, AQUABATTERY commenced operation of Europe’s largest saltwater flow battery pilot project at Deltares’ campus in Delft. This 12-month pilot is designed to validate the system’s performance and prepare for its commercial deployment in 2026. This project is a crucial step in demonstrating the technology’s readiness for widespread application. Additionally, AQUABATTERY received the Innovation award at the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards (EUSEW), recognizing its saltwater flow battery as a sustainable, affordable, and scalable long-duration storage system.
Investors
AQUABATTERY successfully closed a €6 million seed funding round in April 2024. This round was led by EIT InnoEnergy, with participation from InnovationQuarter, Invest-NL, Init Power, and a group of angel investors. These funds are designated for module development, team expansion, and market entry activities. Prior to this, in 2022, AQUABATTERY also secured a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. Further financial support was obtained in 2023 through a grant from the Dutch National Growth Fund, which supports initiatives for material independence and circular battery development.
Business Details
Location: Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands
Website: https://aquabattery.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10317718
