A New Era of Solar Storage: Exploring the Potential of Sodium-Ion Batteries

Solar Power is slowly emerging as a prominent renewable energy source in Australia. But to make it an integral part of the residential or commercial energy source, you need an appropriate energy storage system to power appliances during the night or power outages.

If you look at battery technology, Lithium Ion batteries dominate the market due to their reliability and high energy density. However, the rising cost and extensive use of lithium raise the concern of making it scarce in the coming years. Due to this, businesses are switching to more cost-effective and readily available battery technologies for solar storage. 

Sodium-Ion is one such energy storage alternative for solar power storage. With sodium being available on a large scale, it can also solve the issue of finding affordable batteries. But what makes them the better option? Are sodium-ion batteries more cost-effective compared to other battery technologies? 

Keep reading this blog about a new era of solar storage as we explore the potential of sodium-ion batteries.

What is Sodium-Ion Battery? 

A sodium-ion battery is an emerging energy storage technology that utilizes sodium ions as charge carriers. It has a similar internal structure to lithium-ion batteries and is rechargeable. 

Although Sodium-ion batteries are not new and have a history of development in the 1980s, they recently began earning popularity as an alternative to overcome the issue associated with lithium-ion batteries. It includes the high price of lithium and the need to acquire more quality to satisfy the increasing demand. 

Moreover, sodium-ion battery technology  can take numerous usable shapes. That makes it suitable for energy storage, portable devices, electric vehicles and other commercial projects.

How do sodium ion batteries work?

A battery consists of two elements known as an anode and a cathode. Like lithium-ion batteries, they operate on a reversible insertion principle that includes the extraction of ions from the battery’s electrodes. 

An electrolyte solution separates these two elements, enabling ions to flow between them. 

During battery discharge, the sodium ion moves from the anode to the cathode via the electrolyte, formulating an electric current. Similarly, upon charging, sodium ions travel back to their original place, completing the cycle of battery operation.

What are the advantages of using sodium-ion batteries for renewable energy storage? 

1. Abundant Availability 

Sodium is more abundant ( i.e., around  500 times) than lithium. It makes it easy to research and develop more sodium-ion batteries. 

2. Safer  

Sodium-ion batteries in solid stages are safer than lithium batteries. They are non-flammable and can be used effectively for operations across various temperatures. This thermal stability feature of sodium-ion batteries lowers the risk of accidents, making them a safer option for renewable energy storage.

3. Energy Efficient 

Sodium-ion battery efficiency is more than 90%. It means these batteries effectively minimize power losses, allowing you to store more solar energy produced by the panels that sometimes get lost during storage.

4. More Adaptable 

Sodium-ion batteries are more adaptable than lithium-ion batteries. It makes them easily used in wide battery applications. So you can use it as renewable energy storage to power commercial and residential properties, backup power for telecom companies, or grid storage. 

5. Eco-friendly 

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, it doesn’t release any harmful chemicals. It makes sodium-ion batteries environment-friendly and safe. 

6. Cost-effective 

Before investing in battery technology, it is essential to determine the cost as it eventually affects panel installation prices. For instance, if the batteries cost more, you will have to pay a higher price for your solar system installation.  

Sodium-ion batteries are 30% cheaper than lithium-ion batteries due to the easy availability of sodium. Moreover, its components are also reasonable, making them a cost-effective solution.

What are the disadvantages of sodium-ion batteries?

While sodium-ion batteries show great potential for solar storage, there are still some challenges that we need to address. 

1. Not Actively Available 

Sodium-ion battery technology is still new to the commercial landscape and requires further R&D, making it not actively available for purchase. 

2. Low energy density 

Sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, causing them to cover more space even with the same capacity.

What are the key applications of sodium-ion batteries in the renewable energy sector

Sodium-ion batteries are currently under research and development. However, replacing lithium-ion with sodium-ion looks like a perfect alternative, fulfilling the growing demands for clean and green energy. 

Here are the key applications of sodium-ion batteries in renewable energy storage.

Grid level 

Smart grids need a stable power supply. But sometimes solar and wind energy can be unpredictable,  causing problems with the grid. Sodium-ion batteries can help to combat such issues by optimizing maximum power and fulfilling grid energy needs. 

Power Automobiles 

The demand for a reduction in carbon emissions has impacted transportation, indicating the rise in the sale of electric vehicles(EVs). To make EVs more affordable, we need cost-effective batteries. 

Sodium-ion battery technology perfectly fulfils that criterion and can be a good choice for electric bikes and cars.

Power backup 

Industries like telecom companies and data centres rely on batteries for daily operations, driving the global economy. Sodium-ion batteries can be a great power backup, providing safe and seamless electricity.

Industrial Use 

Using sodium-ion batteries can help industries to utilize their resources appropriately, reducing costs. 

Conclusion 

Lithium-ion batteries have dominated the battery market for a long time. However, limited availability and high mining cost make it difficult for companies to manufacture and sell lithium-ion batteries. 

That’s why most manufacturers are opting for cost-effective sodium-ion batteries. We hope all the points discussed in this blog help you explore the potential of sodium-ion batteries in solar storage.