emerged that are expected to perform better across stationary storage use cases and , critically , also take the load off of lithium-ion .
“ Sodium-ion battery technology offers a glide path for power providers seeking to upgrade existing lithium-ion-based solutions directly . Sodium-ion batteries contrast with li-ion chemistries by leveraging more sustainable and available materials with far fewer environmental concerns . At the same time , improving sodium-ion batteries are on target to possibly surpass lithium-ion batteries in energy density , while already coming in at a low cost ,” Selesky states .
“ Sodium-ion battery production is such that existing lithium-ion manufacturing facilities can easily convert to producing sodium-ion batteries , enabling a frictionless shift as demand for this technology matures . For stationary energy storage use-cases , sodium-ion batteries should offer a compelling substitute for lithium-ion in the near future .”
Supply chain resilience Better supply chain management such as localisation , vertical supply chains , and strategic partnerships are integral in ensuring supply chain resilience . Due to the limited availability of regional raw materials , effective management of the upstream supply chain will continue to be crucial .
To enhance the security of supply and cost-reduction , a more integrated approach between metallurgy and chemistry at the production level could well be key . A positive by-product of such an approach would be the incidental sustainability improvements , geopolitical and ESG risk-reduction , and lower costs achieved by regionalising and colocating multiple steps in battery manufacturing .
“ FOR US , OUR RAW MATERIALS COME FROM AROUND THE CORNER , NOT AROUND THE WORLD ”
ADAM MUELLERWEISS CSO , CLARIOS
92 June 2023