Whilst for energy needs of a wide range of applications, lithium-ion batteries are the choice of electrochemical energy storage systems, currently, other types of emerging battery technologies are on the path to become equally dominant.
Among them, sodium-ion batteries display massive potential to represent next-gen low cost and eco-friendly energy storage solution. The different applications require diverse key performance indicators and the market diversification is mainly pushing the sodium-ion technology closer to the market.
To assess the current status of sodium-ion technology from materials to cell development, a team of scientists combined their knowledge and expertise, and offered a realistic comparison of key performance indicators for lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries.
Large-scale Production of LIBs has Environmental, social Implications
Lithium-ion batteries play a key role for transition to a low carbon economy. However, as the demand for lithium-ion batteries expands, the mass production of lithium-ion batteries is associated with environmental and social challenges. This is triggering large attention to find alternative energy storage solutions based on materials that can be obtained in a responsible and sustainable manner. In this scenario, sodium-ion batteries represent a low cost alternative that is sustainable and is a more eco-friendly energy storage technology.
Meanwhile, sodium-based batteries offer a number of attractive properties. Sodium-ion batteries are low cost, have a secure supply of raw materials, and use sustainable precursors. Besides this, sodium-ion batteries are considered a drop-in technology which could benefit from the manufacturing already existing for lithium-ion batteries.
The paper on the study published in the Journal of Power Sources, the team of scientists analyze the probability of sodium-ion batteries taking a lead spot in the energy storage market. Led by researchers at the University of Warwick, the paper includes researchers from Humboldt University and College de France among others.