Sodium-ion batteries are coming! The era of lithium-ion batteries may be coming to an end.

Today’s world is changing rapidly because of technology. From electric vehicles to smartphones in our hands to massive renewable energy storage, we rely on electricity everywhere. But the key to powering all these devices and systems is the battery. And right now, lithium-ion batteries are at the forefront of energy storage technology. However, a big problem is coming to the fore. It is believed that the raw materials used in lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, may one day run out. As a result, the need for alternatives in battery technology is being felt around the world. And that alternative is called the sodium-ion battery.

How does the future of batteries lie in the hands of sodium-ion batteries?

Not long ago, no one thought that an alternative technology to lithium-ion could be so effective. That is because lithium-ion batteries are so ingrained in our daily lives. Today, however, the situation is changing due to the limited and expensive supply of lithium. In particular, the price of lithium is rising every day because the major lithium producing countries are limited.

And here comes sodium. Sodium is everywhere, from your table salt to the earth’s crust. It is abundant and relatively inexpensive. The cost of manufacturing sodium-ion batteries is also much lower. In addition, these batteries do not require cobalt, copper, or graphite, most of which are controlled by China. As a result, sodium-ion batteries have started a new revolution in the battery market.

Why is sodium-ion needed as an alternative to lithium-ion?

Lithium-ion batteries are the most familiar and popular battery technology today. But as we become more dependent on the technology, the limitations of these batteries are becoming more apparent.

Lithium-ion batteries face several challenges:

• Lithium, nickel, cobalt – these components are mostly limited to a few specific countries. For example, lithium is mainly sourced from Australia, Chile and China. On the other hand, 70 percent of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where human rights violations occur.
• The rising cost of these battery components is having an impact on the market. The price of lithium is going up every day, and the supply is limited.
• There are safety issues. Lithium-ion batteries are often known for battery fires, which is a concern for everyone.
• So what is the alternative? The answer is sodium-ion batteries. These battery components are cheap, readily available, and most importantly, safe.

How does a sodium-ion battery work?

The structure and operation of sodium-ion batteries are very similar to lithium-ion batteries. Both technologies use the same basic components. Such as anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte. But the biggest difference is that sodium ions are used instead of lithium ions.

Like lithium, sodium is an alkali metal, so chemically they are almost the same. But the biggest advantage of sodium is its unlimited availability and affordability. It is readily available around the world and the price is also much lower.

Lithium-ion batteries require a lot of precious materials, such as cobalt and copper, which are relatively expensive to produce. But sodium-ion batteries work without them. As a result, the production cost of the battery is greatly reduced.

Affordable and secure technology

The most attractive feature of sodium-ion batteries is their safety. Lithium-ion batteries have a risk of battery fire with a slight shock or pressure. Sodium-ion batteries do not have this risk. Even if you drill inside the battery, there will be no major damage because there is no risk of fire or explosion.

Also, lithium-ion batteries usually cannot be shipped at zero volts. Sodium-ion batteries, however, can be shipped at zero volts, making transportation safer.

Another advantage of sodium-ion over lithium-ion is its temperature range. Sodium-ion batteries can operate at very high and very low temperatures. They can operate from -30°C to +60°C. According to experts, in some cases they can operate up to +80°C, which further extends the battery’s range of use.

The future of sodium-ion

The biggest challenge for sodium-ion batteries is energy density. Energy density refers to how much energy a battery can hold in relation to its mass. Sodium-ion has a lower energy density than lithium-ion, which means that sodium-ion batteries must be larger and heavier to hold the same amount of energy. This can be a problem for electric vehicles, as there are additional space and weight constraints within the vehicle.

However, companies such as Faradion and Natron Energy are already looking for solutions to this problem. Faradion is currently developing batteries for stationary energy storage, which can be useful for telecommunications, renewable energy and backup power. Their goal is to make these batteries available in the future for low-speed electric vehicles, such as electric bikes, scooters and forklifts.

On the other hand, Natron Energy wants to use their batteries for data centers and EV charging stations. In particular, their batteries have the ability to charge quickly and operate over a wide temperature range, making them suitable for ground operations and backup power.

The Rise of Sodium-Ion Led by China

China is becoming one of the world’s biggest powers in sodium-ion battery technology. Currently, 16 of the world’s 20 sodium-ion battery factories are located in China. Just as China has led in the field of lithium-ion, it is believed that they can exert a similar influence in sodium-ion technology.

However, experts believe that sodium-ion batteries will never completely replace lithium-ion. Rather, it will act as a complement. Along with lithium-ion, sodium-ion will play an important role in grid energy storage and heavy machinery.

Future Energy, Progress and Potential of Sodium-Ion

The world is moving towards greener energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. With this shift, the demand for sodium-ion batteries will continue to grow. Although it will not completely replace lithium-ion technology, sodium-ion will play an important role in certain markets. In particular, where affordability, safety and ease of supply are important, the future of this battery technology is bright. Technology Smartphone Accessories

This journey towards a global green energy system is a landmark event. This technology will be a big part of that journey, and the place of the sodium-ion battery is very important.