In a groundbreaking announcement on Tuesday, Swedish start-up Northvolt revealed a significant advancement in its sodium-ion battery technology designed for energy storage systems.
Unlike conventional batteries, this innovative battery eliminates the need for lithium, cobalt, or nickel. Northvolt claims that this development could reduce global reliance on China, a dominant force in the critical material supply chains essential for the ongoing energy transition. The company asserts that its new battery cell is not only safer but also more cost-effective and sustainable than traditional options, primarily due to the abundant availability of its key minerals such as sodium and iron.
The technology relies on a hard carbon anode and a Prussian White-based cathode, avoiding the use of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. Prussian White, a material preferred for its low cost and high sustainability, is employed in the positive electrode of sodium-ion batteries. Northvolt aims to be the pioneer in industrializing Prussian White-based batteries, bringing them to commercial markets.
With an energy density exceeding 160 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), these batteries fall slightly below the average energy density of 200–300Wh/kg for lithium-ion batteries. However, this figure can vary based on the specific chemistries utilized.
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Peter Carlsson, CEO and co-founder of Northvolt, expressed enthusiasm about the sodium-ion technology, stating, “The world has put high hopes on sodium-ion, and I am very pleased to say that we have developed a technology that will enable its widespread deployment to accelerate the energy transition.”
Sodium-ion batteries have witnessed significant improvements in stability and energy capabilities over the past year, as companies seek alternatives to lithium amidst rising costs and supply shortages.
Laura Cozzi, Director of Sustainability at the International Energy Agency, highlighted the evolving landscape of clean technologies, noting the shift towards sodium-based batteries. She explained, “Until a year ago, it was mostly lithium; now we know that sodium can play a role.”
While Northvolt’s current sodium-ion batteries are tailored for energy storage, future iterations with higher energy density could potentially find applications in electric vehicles.
The original article, “Sweden’s Northvolt makes breakthrough in sodium-ion battery technology,” was created and published by Power Technology, a brand owned by GlobalData.
