⚡DevelopingEnergy Storage • Batteries

Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries use abundant sodium instead of lithium for energy storage, offering a potentially lower-cost alternative for grid storage. Commercial production began in 2023 with energy densities of 120-150 Wh/kg and costs projected to reach $40-60/kWh by 2030 .

Important Considerations

Lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries. Manufacturing infrastructure and supply chain still developing.

How It Works

Sodium-ion batteries operate similarly to lithium-ion but use sodium salts as electrolytes and sodium-compatible cathode materials like Prussian blue or layered oxides. Sodium ions move between electrodes during charge/discharge cycles. Hard carbon anodes accommodate larger sodium ions effectively.

Advantages

Uses abundant and inexpensive sodium resources, eliminates reliance on lithium and cobalt supply chains, excellent thermal stability and safety profile, can be discharged to 0V for safe shipping, and lower environmental impact in production.

Challenges

Lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, heavier weight due to sodium's properties, shorter cycle life in early commercial versions, limited charging speed compared to lithium, and nascent supply chain and manufacturing.