Since the 1990s, a lesser-known battery technology has been undergoing tests in European labs, and it remains remarkably effective even today. What’s the breakthrough? It’s not based on lithium; instead, it’s a solid-state sodium salt battery.
Recently, this unique energy storage system hit a significant milestone. A very high-voltage (720V) sodium solid-state battery manufacturing line has passed its testing in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, and has now entered smaller-scale production. This makes the country the third country in the world, after Italy and the United States, to move into commercial-scale production of sodium-based batteries.
Why Solid-State Sodium Batteries Are Gaining Global Attention
Based on expert reviews by research institutes in the energy field, this type of battery has been described as “the safest battery in electrochemical energy storage.” This is the reason:
Non-flammable materials. There is no risk of explosion even in extreme tests (e.g., shooting with explosive rounds). It can be used in extreme temperatures ranging from -40 °C to 60 °C. Lasting up to 7,000 charges. Flexible applications include Data centers, grid storage, as well as industrial and home backup, even military applications.
A New Era in Energy Storage
In this way, this country is now leading the way in establishing the global standard for sodium batteries. As the massive rollout progresses, Ordos will soon be the largest of all. The Ordos facility is anticipated to be the world’s most automated and fully integrated production facility , capable of supplying 3GWh of sodium solid-state batteries annually.
This innovation represents a significant advancement in the pursuit of more durable, safer, and sustainable alternatives to lithium-based batteries. It marks the dawn of a new age of energy-related innovation.
