Northvolt, the Swedish battery manufacturer, is set to revolutionize the energy storage sector with its entry into the sodium-ion battery (SIB) business, citing a significant technological breakthrough. Diverging from the trend of Chinese manufacturers swiftly adopting SIBs for electric vehicles (EVs), Northvolt is initially targeting stationary energy storage systems.
The company’s collaboration with development partner Altris has resulted in a groundbreaking cell boasting an impressive energy density of 160 Wh/kg. Achieved at Northvolt Labs in Västerås, Sweden, this “best-in-class energy density” relies on a hard carbon anode and a Prussian White-based cathode, a variant of the inorganic colorant Berlin Blue.
The unique composition, involving the replacement of some iron ions in Berlin Blue with sodium, allows for a theoretical capacity of 170 mAh/g and an average output voltage of 3.2 V. Northvolt plans to be the pioneer in industrializing Prussian White-based batteries, aiming for a commercial market rollout.
Altris, Northvolt’s partner, has already taken steps towards commercialization, establishing a manufacturing plant in Sandviken, Sweden, capable of producing 2,000 tonnes of Fennac (Prussian White) annually, enough for 1 GWh of sodium-ion batteries.
Northvolt asserts that the validated cell is safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable compared to conventional nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC) or iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries. The use of abundant minerals like iron and sodium enhances cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive option for emerging markets, including India, the Middle East, and Africa.
Peter Carlsson, Northvolt’s CEO, highlights the potential impact of sodium-ion technology on energy storage, stating, “Our sodium-ion technology delivers the performance required to enable energy storage with longer duration than alternative battery chemistries, at a lower cost, thereby opening new pathways to deploying renewable power generation.”
While specific capacities, clients, and timelines remain undisclosed, Northvolt envisions subsequent generations of sodium-ion technology enabling cost-efficient solutions for electric mobility.
In parallel, Chinese companies, including BYD, Huaihai, and startup Zoolnasm, are making significant strides in the sodium-ion battery sector. With plans for large-scale SIB factories, the race is on to establish a stronghold in this alternative to lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology, addressing concerns of lithium scarcity and volatility. Notably, CATL, a major player in the battery industry, is also set to venture into sodium-ion production, aiming to power Chery’s iCar brand later this year.
