Efficient energy storage plays a crucial role in the ongoing energy transition. As decarbonisation efforts accelerate, manufacturers are increasingly exploring alternatives to traditional lithium batteries, with sodium batteries emerging as a cost-effective solution. This technology paves the way for affordable electric vehicles and the efficient storage of renewable energy. But what exactly are sodium batteries, and why are they advantageous?
The development of new battery technologies is crucial to supporting energy storage, which is vital for making renewable energy production more flexible and integrating it effectively into the system. Lithium batteries, since their introduction in 1991, have been the dominant energy storage solution. However, the demand for lithium has led to concerns about potential supply shortages, price hikes, and manufacturing delays.
In response, battery manufacturers and the automotive industry have been investigating alternatives, with sodium-ion batteries emerging as a promising option due to sodium’s abundance and low cost. Sodium-ion batteries function similarly to lithium batteries, using sodium ions to carry charge. Sodium is an abundant element found in sea salt and the earth’s crust. Although first studied in the 1980s, the true potential of sodium-ion batteries wasn’t realised until this century. Research has grown considerably, particularly in China, Japan, and the United States, with companies like CATL and HiNa at the forefront.
BloombergNEF predicts that sodium-ion batteries could account for 23% of the stationary energy storage market by 2030, equating to over 50 GWh. This figure could increase further if technological improvements accelerate and if existing lithium battery production equipment can be adapted for sodium batteries.
Sodium-ion batteries have an anode and a cathode, through which sodium ions travel during charging and discharging, generating electrical current. These batteries are cost-effective and efficient due to the abundance of sodium, with benefits such as fast charging, safety against overheating, and reduced environmental toxicity compared to batteries containing lithium or cobalt. Although current production costs are high, sodium-ion batteries are expected to become cheaper with larger production volumes. Furthermore, the compatibility of sodium-ion technology with existing lithium battery manufacturing processes allows manufacturers to leverage economies of scale and existing expertise, reducing the additional investment needed.
Sodium-ion batteries have potential applications across various sectors. They are ideal for renewable energy storage, providing balanced power supply for solar and wind energy. They can also enhance the stability of power grids, provide reliable energy storage for the telecommunications and data sectors, and support electric mobility as a viable alternative to lithium batteries. Industrial mobility applications also benefit from sodium-ion technology, which helps optimise asset use and minimise operating costs.
The development of sodium-ion batteries has been boosted by research into lithium-ion technology, as the two types share many characteristics. Recent discoveries, such as the use of hard carbon as an anode material, are advancing sodium battery technology. Future improvements are likely to focus on increasing energy density, enhancing cyclability for fast charging, and hybridising with lithium batteries to combine the strengths of both technologies. The eventual goal is to commercialise sodium-ion batteries affordably and on a large scale, laying the groundwork for a major revolution in renewable energy storage.
DG Innovate plc (LON:DGI) is an advanced research and development company pioneering sustainable and environmentally considerate improvements to electric mobility and storage, using abundant materials and the best engineering and scientific practices. Deregallera is a subsidiary of DG Innovate.
