Battery companies join forces to deploy sodium-ion power systems

Two battery companies are joining forces with a plan to deploy energy storage systems in the US that rely on sodium-ion technology.

Peak Energy, which was started two years ago by former employees of Tesla Inc. and Apple Inc., said on Wednesday in a statement that Jupiter Power will help bring its technology to the market.

In the agreement, Peak Energy plans to deliver 720 megawatt-hours of storage to Jupiter Power in 2027. Peak Energy said this would be the largest single deployment of sodium-ion batteries announced to date.

The vast majority of batteries deployed today rely on lithium-ion technology. Non-lithium-ion batteries have struggled to gain mainstream adoption, but sodium-ion batteries are considered among the industry’s most promising emerging technologies. Sodium-ion systems are less flammable and can cost less than lithium-ion counterparts, but they offer lower energy density.

Industry challenges remain, though: US-based sodium-ion battery manufacturer Natron Energy Inc. ceased operations in September after failing to raise enough capital.

(By Tope Alake)