Lithium-ion batteries have powered smartphones, laptops, power tools – and more recently electric vehicles – for more than thirty years. So why are sodium-ion batteries suddenly so important? The success of lithium-ion batteries may have been remarkable, but they have two downsides:
- Lithium-ion chemistry may become unstable and cause serious fires
- Lithium is a scarce resource not naturally available in many countries
Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Are Suddenly So Important
Sodium Is Universally Available And More Stable
Sodium, which is far more stable, is one of Earth’s most abundant elements. We find it in common salt and many other minerals, making it easier to obtain than lithium. This widespread availability could reduce pressure on raw material supplies, while helping to lower manufacturing costs.
Sodium-Ion And Lithium-Ion Chemistries Are Similar
But there’s another reason why sodium-ion batteries have great potential. They store and release their energy by moving ions just like lithium-ion batteries. Although sodium ions are larger and heavier than lithium ions, researchers are steadily improving sodium-ion battery performance.
Sodium Batteries Are Cheaper And More Reliable
Sodium-ion batteries are attracting attention for home and bulk energy storage, grid backup systems, affordable electric vehicles, and other applications. This is because low cost and dependable performance are more important than maximum energy density in these situations.
Sodium Chemistry Will Complement, Not Take Over
Sodium chemistry will complement, not take over completely from lithium-ion, lead-acid and other chemistries. Each has potential to hold their own niche, and deliver cost-effective service where they suit the situation best. Hence sodium-ion will become another option available to us.
We Are Entering A New Phase In a Never-Ending Story
Our battery industry is entering an exciting period. Instead of reading about a mature technology, we have the opportunity to watch sodium-ion batteries develop from promising newcomers into commercially important products.
Now we understand why sodium-ion batteries are important, we’ll move on to explaining how sodium-ion batteries work in the next article. After reading that, we will understand how they share so many similarities with today’s lithium-ion batteries.
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