UAE-based real assets investor and developer ROX Capital Group has launched the ROX Gulf Energy Storage Platform, targeting utility-scale and commercial energy storage projects in the UAE and Oman while exploring opportunities for regional assembly and manufacturing.

The platform will evaluate a range of storage technologies, including vanadium redox flow, lithium iron phosphate and sodium-ion batteries, as well as long-duration solutions such as CO₂ batteries, gravity-based storage, compressed-air energy storage and thermal storage.

ROX plans to establish partnerships with selected technology providers based on their track record in deploying large-scale storage projects, long-duration storage expertise where applicable, financial and operational capacity, and ownership or control of core technology intellectual property.

The company said it will prioritise providers with bankable systems, established manufacturing capabilities and the ability to offer long-term technical support, performance guarantees and warranties.

The platform and its partners will pursue upcoming energy storage tenders and assess local assembly or manufacturing opportunities where commercially viable.

“The Gulf is building some of the world’s largest solar projects. The next challenge is ensuring that clean power remains available after sunset and during periods of peak demand,” said Robin Antony, Founder of ROX Capital Group. “No single technology will meet every requirement. We are building a platform that matches the right technology to the needs of each project and, where viable, supports the development of local manufacturing capability.”

“Lithium-ion batteries have transformed energy storage and will remain an important part of the solution,” Antony added. “However, the Gulf’s climate, load profile and energy-security priorities create a need for a broader portfolio of technologies. High summer temperatures can increase cooling requirements, while solar-heavy systems require storage over longer periods after dark. We see an important role for technologies including vanadium flow batteries, CO₂ batteries, gravity-based storage and thermal storage alongside lithium-ion solutions.” -TradeArabia News Service