An Expert Overview of Emerging Sodium-ion Battery Technology – The Future of Residential and Industrial Energy Storage

Energy storage batteries are becoming increasingly important in both the residential and industrial sectors as we work to transition to renewable energy sources and build more resilient energy systems. There is a growing demand for cost-effective and high-performance energy storage solutions like batteries to better manage energy supply and demand.

Na+ batteries are an emerging battery chemistry that shows promise in helping meet this need for energy storage. In this overview, we will explore the fundamentals, applications, performance attributes, economics, and sustainability considerations of Na+ batteries.

Understanding Na+ Batteries

A sodium-ion battery (NIB) is a type of rechargeable battery that uses sodium ions (Na+) as its charge carriers. It is similar to a lithium-ion battery (LIB) in terms of working principles and cell construction, but it uses sodium compounds instead of lithium compounds. Here are some key points to understand about sodium-ion batteries.

A sodium-ion battery is made up of an anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte, and two current collectors, one positive and one negative. The anode and cathode store the sodium, while the electrolyte, which acts as the circulating "blood," keeps the energy flowing by dissolving salts in solvents and carrying the charged ions from the anode to the cathode and vice versa through the separator.

Sodium-ion batteries offer a potentially lower cost, higher availability, and reduced environmental impact compared to lithium-ion batteries. They use cheap and abundant materials, such as sodium and aluminum, instead of lithium and copper, which could be transformative in some applications

One of the main challenges for sodium-ion batteries is their lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. This means that sodium-ion batteries would require a larger size to store the same amount of energy. Additionally, sodium-ion batteries are still in the early stages of development, and their commercialization and scale-up processes are ongoing.

Applications of Na+ Batteries

The applications of sodium-ion batteries are diverse and are primarily driven by their unique advantages over lithium-ion batteries.

Energy Storage

Na+ batteries are well-suited for large scale stationary energy storage applications such as supporting renewable energy integration, providing backup power, and helping stabilize the electricity grid. Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a potential alternative to lithium batteries for energy storage. They work similarly to lithium batteries but use sodium ions instead of lithium ions. Sodium is abundant and low-cost, making it an attractive option.

The technology has seen significant research activity, particularly in China. The future is bright in this respect. According to BloombergNEF, by 2030, sodium-ion batteries could account for 23% of the stationary storage market, which would translate into more than 50 GWh. But that forecast could be exceeded if technology improvements accelerate and manufacturing advances are made using similar or the same equipment as for lithium batteries.

In conclusion, sodium-ion batteries offer advantages such as fast charging, stability, and safety, but they have lower energy density and efficiency compared to lithium batteries. The main challenge is the lack of an established supply chain for mass production.

Industrial Mobility

The properties of sodium-ion batteries mean that they can be used to maximize asset utilization and reduce operating costs with a constant state of readiness and high peak power

Recent research has addressed the durability issues of sodium-ion batteries, leading to potential advancements in their commercialization. Further investment in research and development is needed to fully realize the potential of sodium-ion battery technology.

Consumer Electronics

Sodium-ion batteries can be used in consumer electronics, although their lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries may limit their use in portable devices

Electric Vehicles

While sodium-ion batteries can't provide the range for electric vehicles offered by lithium-ion batteries due to their lower energy density, they can still be used in certain types of electric vehicles, particularly those where weight and volume are not critical factors

Technical Specifications and Performance of Na+ Battery

The technical specifications and performance of sodium-ion batteries can vary depending on the specific design and materials used. However, some general characteristics can be outlined:

Nominal Voltage

Sodium-ion batteries typically have a nominal voltage of around 3.25V

Energy Density

The energy density of sodium-ion batteries is currently lower than that of lithium-ion batteries. However, it is gradually increasing with ongoing research and development. For instance, a NaMnO2 battery developed by Hina Energy has an energy density of ≥145Wh/kg, while CATL's first-generation sodium-ion batteries can achieve energy densities of up to 160Wh/kg. Projections suggest that sodium-ion batteries could reach pack densities of nearly 150 watt-hours per kilogram by 2025.

Cycle Life

The cycle life of sodium-ion batteries can be quite high. It has a cycle life of ≥4500 cycles at 83% (2C/2C). However, it's worth noting that the cycle life span vary significantly depending on the specific battery design and usage conditions.

Temperature Range

Sodium-ion batteries can operate within a wide temperature range. For instance, some NaMnO2 batteries have a working temperature range of -40℃ to 80℃. However, the optimal temperature range for most sodium-ion batteries is typically 15 °C to 35 °C.

Others

Sodium-ion batteries can achieve high performance across several key metrics. Some Na-ion batteries have demonstrated a high round-trip efficiency of up to 92%. In terms of specific energy, designs such as the CEA Na-ion cell have achieved levels of 90 Wh/kg. The rate capability, or C-rate performance, has also been excellent - for example, some NaMnO2 batteries maintain ≥ 90% of its 1C capacity at 5C rates. This NaMnO2 battery also delivers strong storage performance, retaining ≥ 94% of its rated capacity after 28 days of storage at room temperature and recovering ≥ 99% with subsequent cycling.

Taken together, these attributes demonstrate that sodium-ion batteries can combine high efficiency, good specific energy, excellent rate capability and stable storage performance.

Cost and Economic Considerations of Na+ Battery

The cost of a Na-ion battery cell is expected to be around $40-80/kWh compared to an average of $120/kWh for a Li-ion cell. The substitution of lithium with sodium leads to a cost advantage due to the abundance and lower cost of sodium. However, sodium-ion batteries lack a well-established raw material supply chain, and the technology is still in the early stages of development.

A study on the cost analysis of a sodium-ion battery pack for energy and power applications using combined multi-physics and techno-economic modeling observed a 26.42% increase in total material cost per kWh when transitioning from energy to power cells.

Despite the advantages, sodium-ion battery manufacturing needs to overcome several challenges before it can be widely adopted as a replacement for lithium-ion batteries

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Na+ batteries utilize abundant raw materials and are relatively environmentally benign. At end of life, the high value metals can be readily recycled. However, the high temperature operation results in greater energy losses. The electrolytes may also require proper handling and disposal.

Overall, Na+ batteries present a viable pathway for more sustainable energy storage compared to alternatives. Continued improvements to their green credentials can enable wider adoption.

In summary, Na+ batteries are an emerging energy storage technology with promising performance, safety, sustainability, and economic attributes. With further development, they can be a key enabler for renewable energy integration and resilient energy systems in residential, industrial, and grid-scale applications. Na+ batteries represent an exciting opportunity for consumers seeking reliable and cost-effective energy storage.

Lithium Valley offers comprehensive end-to-end energy storage solutions for all application scenarios. If you have energy storage needs for residential or commercial/industrial settings, feel free to contact us. Our technical experts can provide online assessments and tailor optimized storage solutions to suit your specific requirements.