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https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-sodium-battery-start-up-claims-major-milestones-as-storage-industry-starts-to-look-beyond-lithium/>
"An Australian sodium battery startup has claimed two important milestones that
will herald the rollout of its technology as the global storage industry looks
increasingly at alternatives beyond lithium-ion.
The Queensland-based PowerCap was established by former chemical and petroleum
engineers who had seen enough of the fossil fuel industry and turned initially
to fuel cells and then sodium ion technology.
After more than six years of research and development, PowerCap has advanced
the technology far enough to become what it says is the first Western
sodium-ion battery manufacturer to achieve both TÜV and PPP certification,
meaning it can now advance its production and commercial activities.
Sodium-ion technology is now attracting global attention as an alternative to
lithium-ion, because of its abundant raw materials (salt), and improved thermal
stability. Its backers say it steals a march on other competing technologies
such as flow batteries because of lower costs.
Major deals have been announced by China’s CATL, and the US-based Peak Energy,
and PowerCap founder, CEO and chief engineer Dane El Safty says sodium is
starting to match it on costs.
Some Australian utilities, such as AGL, say they are looking at the technology
as a possible alternative to lithium as they map out their next round of big
battery investments.
El Safty, who once helped develop shale oil extraction for the likes of Chevron
and Shell, says there is a lot to like about sodium-ion as a battery
technology.
He says sodium has less electrical resistance than lithium. “Electricity will
flow faster, so you are not heating up the battery and (risking thermal
runaway),” he tells
Renew Economy.
“There will always be a lead acid and lithium market, but they will shrink as
sodium ion storage grows. Sodium is abundant. We can suck it out of the ocean
or from a desalination plant. It will be vastly cheaper because the substrate
does not have the same cost. For safety reasons and cost reasons, i think you
will see sodium gain momentum.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
