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Sodium-Ion Batteries, Game Changer

By Kristy Hoare on in New Solar Technology

Sodium-Ion Batteries, Game Changer

Please see the updated blog article about sodium-ion batteries for 2024 here.

Sodium-Ion Batteries are making a lot of noise in the renewable energy storage space.  Compared to Lithium, Sodium is cheap and abundant.  If we want to store mass amounts of energy from solar and wind, Sodium-Ion batteries could be a great economic and environmental choice.  

With energy companies racing to develop energy storage, one can only assume that there will be a break through technology.  Imagine, a new technology that could dominate the energy storage market, leaving sub-par technologies in its wake and creating an exciting new phase in renewable energy storage.

Lithium-Ion batteries could be involved in some way, shape or form, with this break through technology. Lithium-Ion batteries are making huge advancements; Tesla, Enphase and Samsung are all charging full steam ahead with research and development.  With Lithium-Ion batteries now on the scene, will Sodium-Ion Batteries ever stand a chance? 

Not only is sodium accessible and abundant, making up over 2.6 percent of the earth's crust, sodium can be stored and shipped safely without fire risk.  Another big advantage is that the sodium-ion battery cells can be completely discharged, where as Lithium-ion batteries can only go to 70% depth of discharge - therefore you can use more of the Sodium-Ion battery.

The other good news about Sodium-Ion batteries is that they are now available in New Zealand.  Aquion Energy, based in Pittsburgh, are manufacturing the battery cells that are being distributed by Taspac throughout New Zealand. 

Sodium Ion Battery

Image above: Aquion, S-Line Battery Stack

The Aquion batters are 85% efficient and will run 3,000 cycles before degrading to 80% of their rated capacity.  The cost of these batteries are around the same prices as lead acid batteries (the most commonly used type of batteries for off-grid solar power systems), they are expected to last twice as long than lead acid batteries.

One of many high-profile investors in Aquion Energy, Bill Gates, is investing $35 million into the company for research and development.

Aquion batteries are the first batteries to ever receive Cradle to Cradle Bronze status by the C2CC organisation.  The materials used are a lot kinder to the environment.  Materials include salt water electrolyte, carbon composite anode, manganese oxide cathode, and synthetic cotton separator.

The newly built 10 Star Eco Home in Papamoa has 2x Aquion S-Line battery cells at 2.2kW each being 4.4kW of useable storage.

The batteries are slow to charge and slow to discharge, a bit of a draw back.  Therefore, if you have a small battery bank for storing your homes excess solar power (night use), then it will be able to run appliances like your TV and LED during the evening hours. But heavy duty appliances like an oven might still be drawing a proportion of the power needed from the grid.

With the backing of large investments groups and with clear advantages, this technology should be a great contender for Lithium-Ion batteries in the renewable energy storage space.

 

 

 

 


Showing 4 comments

Posted by Kristy on 20th Oct 2023 10:12:56

Hi Lawrie,\r\n\r\nMost of the big players are starting mass production of cells Q1 2024, a couple of early players before the end of the year.\r\n\r\nWe will likely see 12V Monoblock solutions (suitable for Caravans and Marine applications) not long after.\r\n\r\nFor solar batteries, which are typically a more complicated product as it requires a larger BMS and enclosure solution plus the additional certification requirements we expect to see these in our market Q2 2024.\r\n\r\n-Kristy

Posted by Lawrie Webb on 19th Oct 2023 14:31:43

I am looking at replacing my 12 volt 200 ah Lithium batteries with Sodium Ion. Can I purchase these in Auckland New Zealand

Posted by Doug on 24th Sep 2017 12:31:32

The company has gone bankrupt, and the NZ agent [Taspac] indicates that's unlikely to be rectified anytime soon.

Posted by Ian Williamson on 14th Jul 2016 22:02:03

These batteries are a game changer and I hope are the direction of storage to come.
In there present form they are a high impedance battery which means the discharge rate is rather limited as a single or 2x S line configuration they are 2.2KWhr each but that does not mean you can get 2 KW from them in 1 hr.
That is why they have the M line option which is 12x S line modules or other configurations.
6x S line modules is the minimum you should install unless you just want to run LED lights and a tv and computer.
I am sure this product will continue to improve and the price will drop making it the best solution for the future.

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