Sodium-ion Batteries: A Gamechanger for the Battery Industry?
Hardly any other battery technology is currently attracting more attention than the sodium-ion battery. Longer-lasting, more environmentally friendly, more stable and less expensive than previous systems, it is considered a promising candidate for the future. But how is the energy density of sodium-ion batteries? And what does it need for a successful production? Dr Lukas Stolz, Research Associate at MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster, and Dr Andreas Fischer, Vice President Battery Materials Innovation Scouting at BASF SE, explored these and other questions at the MEET Academy Online on 26 October 2023.
Sodium-ion Battery Will Complement the Market
In his lecture “From lithium to sodium-ion batteries: challenges for research and development”, Dr Lukas Stolz of MEET Battery Research Center compared the performance, durability, safety and the costs of the sodium-ion battery to the lithium-ion battery. With the result: “The sodium-ion battery will not replace the lithium-ion battery but will complement the market. Both systems have their advantages, but also their disadvantages. In particular, the better availability of raw materials and the increased safety make the sodium-ion battery extremely attractive,” Stolz explained. However, the larger and heavier sodium ions lead to a lower energy density compared to the lithium-ion battery.
Sodium-ion batteries – from an industrial perspective – were the focus of the presentation by Dr Andreas Fischer, Vice President Battery Materials Innovation Scouting at BASF SE. From his perspective, the sodium-ion battery has huge potential. Fischer said: “One of the reasons the sodium-ion battery is so interesting for the industry is that it can use existing infrastructure. At both cell and pack level, only minor modifications are needed in its facilities customized for lithium-ion battery for a successful production.” He sees significant motivation for preparing the sodium-ion battery for use in electromobility – and thus not just as stationary storage system. The technology because of economy of scale effects has then the potential to complement the battery market.
Next MEET Academy Online in June 2024
The 21st MEET Academy will take place in June 2024. The topic will be announced soon. The MEET Academy, which is free of charge, is organized by MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster.